Famous Indian Classical Vocalists All Time Who Redefined Music

Indian music is known for its linguistic and tonal versatility. From ragas that evoke different emotions to the brilliant symposium of traditional instruments – it’s a symphony in your ears. 

The music has witnessed different periods and survived massive socio-cultural alterations in the region. Popularized by the esteemed Indian classical vocalists, it combines centuries of tradition and spirituality, reflecting the subcontinent’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. 

Taking soulful music beyond entertainment, these vocalists have redefined classical and Hindustani music, making it a timeless charm that strikes the right chords, radiates peace, and keeps the ancient tradition alive. From the legendary Tansen and Gauhar Jaan to the singers of today who are carrying the legacy forward, the ragas and talas continue to evoke emotions in South Asian music enthusiasts. 

Read ahead to learn more about the Maestros who transformed music with their classical roots, love for the art form, and deep knowledge of music.

What is Indian Classical Music?

Traced back to the Vedic literature and Natyashastra, the classical music of the subcontinent is rich, diverse, and intricate. As society changed, musical traditions were adapted – with newer instruments, melodies, and even structures – to accommodate and reflect the contemporary heterogeneous society.

Indian classical music is broadly categorized into Carnatic, Hindustani, and Odishi. While overlapping, these have their unique features and rules. 

The two elements that make up the foundation of Indian music are the Raga and the Tala. Raga, consisting of Swara or ‘Notes and Microintervals’ – is the core emotion that “colors the mind” and provides a “melodious palette” for the musician to work with. Tala on the other hand is the rhythmic structure within which the musicians work.

Top 7 Famous Indian Classical Vocalists

From the first woman recording artist to renowned and versatile musicians, we have been blessed with voices that soothe the soul and evoke emotions from deep within. Let us look at some of the most notable and famous Indian classical singers who’ve shaped the art form and created a legacy that survived decades – 

1. Gauhar Jaan (1873-1930)

Gauhar Jaan is India’s first-ever recorded artist and one of the pioneer Indian classical vocalists who rose to prominence at the dusk of the 19th century. 

Having started her music career at a young age, Gauhar Jaan mastered Hindustani classical music and its nuances, specializing in Thumri, Dadra, Tarana, and Kajri. Her melodious voice and versatility led her to become a celebrated singer in the court of Wajid Ali Shah in Kolkata. 

The first Indian woman to have commercially recorded music, she went on to compose Ghazals and master Rabindra Sangeet as well. She recorded as many as 600 songs in a span of two decades. It earned her the titles of “the gramophone girl” and “first recording superstar of India”. 

An expert in her field, her soulful voice has inspired generations of artists, particularly women, to pursue their love for classical music and carry the remarkable legacy forward. 

2. M.S. Subbulakhsmi (1916-2004)

With multiple awards and accolades, M.S. Subbulakshmi remains a master in classical and hindustani singing in the history of Indian music. Her expertise in the field and her contributions have reshaped music, touching the hearts of millions of music enthusiasts and aspiring artists in India. 

Daughter of a Devadasi, Subbulakshmi started training under her mother and went on to become proficient in Carnatic and Hindustani classical styles. One of the leading Carnatic vocalists, her spellbinding performances of Hindu Devotional Songs – Bhajans – quickly became a fan favorite.

She is the first Indian to perform at the UNGA (United Nations General Assembly), the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, and the First Musician to be awarded the highest civilian award in India – the prestigious Bharat Ratna. 

Subbulakshmi’s mesmerizing voice, intricate techniques, modulations, and skills have made her an icon in the classical space and playback realms.

3. Girija Devi (1929 – 2017)

Belonging to the Seniya and Banaras Gharana, Girija Devi is known for her unique style – a combination of classical and semi-classical where she seamlessly blended the classical foundation with regional traits from Bihar and parts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. 

In her career which lasted several decades, she has trained hundreds of students, imparting to them knowledge and skills required to ace the discipline. Despite societal pressures and constraints, she shone with her renditions of Hindustani classical, striking the right chords in the hearts of listeners in each concert she performed. 

Titled ‘The Queen of Thumri’, she focused on preserving her musical heritage through her students and influencing aspiring musicians. 

4. M.L. Vasanthakumari (1928 – 1990)

A Carnatic singer and a playback artist, MLV was a contemporary of Subbulakshmi. Her most recognized contributions include popularizing unconventional and unique ragas. An expert in complex ragas, her intricate work was highly appreciated by the audience and fellow artists. 

MLV is one of the most versatile classical vocalists in India. A master of complex vocal techniques, she could effortlessly switch between elaborate melodious frameworks and ornate ragas. Singing in multiple Indian languages, her voice had a soothing quality that made her music memorable to the listeners. 

A highly-ranked stage artist, MLV started performing at the age of 12 and quickly rose to prominence with her talent and expert skills. She broke stereotypes by taking on styles and notes predominantly practiced by male singers and paved the way for aspiring women classical singers. 

Awarded the esteemed Padma Bhushan – the 3rd highest civilian award in the country, she is remembered for her contribution to creating a level playing field for young women in music.

5. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (1922-2011)

A well-known and revered name in the Hindustani classical space, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi was the first ever Indian musician to have his concert posters advertised in NYC. He toured extensively in India and abroad – particularly in Afghanistan, the USA, Canada, Italy, and France – throughout his six-decade-long career. 

His contributions to Indian music are manifold. He mastered Hindustani classical and devotional music, while also consistently delving in patriotic songs and playback singing. Through his soulful voice and interpretations of different styles, he created a balance between the traditional and the massy, commercial music, reaching and connecting with all sections of the Indian audience. 

He is remembered for inspiring a generation of young talented singers or Suni Shagirds who learned music just by listening to him sing. Pandit Joshi’s role was integral in organizing the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival too. 

Having won multiple prestigious awards – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Karnataka Ratna, and Bharat Ratna – Joshi is one of the most popular classical singers, with millions of followers in India and abroad. 

6. Pandit Jasraj (1930 – 2020)

Belonging to the Mewati Gharana, Pandit Jasraj is one of the most prominent Indian classical vocalists. He has worked with multiple musicians and composers, contributing to innovations and adaptations in different genres.

In his eventful career spanning about 75 years, he has ventured into classical and semi-classical styles, classical-based devotional music, playback singing for films, and music albums. Having received numerous awards and accolades – Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and many more – he has made a lasting impact in the field of music. 

Pandit Jasraj’s legacy remains his versatility, interpretation of classical music, and the fine blend of classical ragas into popular culture and film music. He popularized the gharana he belonged to, teaching music to hundreds of students in India, Canada, the USA, and Europe, inspiring young singers to follow in his footsteps and keep the classical tradition alive and thriving. 

7. Ustad Amir Khan (1912 – 1974)

A musical maestro and an iconic figure in Hindustani classical music, he is best known for developing his own style of singing. Excelling multiple styles and forms from an early age, his passion for music is evident in his pathbreaking innovations. He blended Dhrupad and Khyal, two distinct genres in the Hindustani classical school, and founded the Indore Gharana.  

Ustad Amir Khan used intricate ornamentations in his music complementing the complex jumps, yet following a simple raga structure. This play made his work intriguing to listeners, music enthusiasts, aspiring singers, and critics. His compositions reinforce his love for the poetic aspects of khyal and his belief that poetry should touch the soul of the listeners.

He popularized Tarana and Khyal compositions in the Dari dialect of Persian, a language now widely used in Afghanistan and some parts of Iran. The compositions emphasized the structural beauty and underlying emotions – a perfect blend of the technical and the poetic. 

Awarded with the Presidential Award and Padma Bhushan, his legacy can be seen in the later developments and practices of the Indore gharana, and the compositions he’s penned. 

Conclusion

Indian classical music is a living art that adapts and reinvents itself with time, while also holding on to and cherishing its roots. You don’t have to be an expert to appreciate and admire the magic Indian classical vocalists create with their melodious and soulful voices, syncing perfectly with the symphony of the various instruments and wreathing together the perfect musical composition. 

If you love classical music and want to make a career in it, AAFT School of Music is your platform to a successful career. Be it classical singing or Hindustani classical music, we offer various degree and diploma programs that will help you master your skills under expert guidance and masterclasses. 
Enrol now at AAFT School of Music and get a headstart in your music career.