Best Indian Singers of All Time: Legends to Modern Icons

India has more recorded singers than almost any country, across classical, film, folk, devotional and pop music, and in more than 20 languages. That makes any “best of” list an argument. This one is built for listeners and learners. For each of the 50 singers, you get their dates, what they are known for, songs to start with, and one specific thing to listen for in their voice.

The list covers Hindustani and Carnatic classical vocalists, playback singers from Hindi and South Indian cinema, ghazal and Sufi performers, and today’s streaming-era artists. 2026 has been a year of loss for Indian music: Asha Bhosle died on 12 April and S. Janaki on 11 July. Both are on this list.

How we chose: we weighed vocal skill (pitch, breath control, range, tone), influence on their genre, versatility across styles and languages, how long their recordings have stayed in use, and how often our teachers use those recordings in class. The singers are grouped by era and genre, not ranked. A khayal singer and a Punjabi pop star measured on one scale would tell you little about either.

Quick list: the 50 greatest Indian singers

The Golden Era: Hindi film’s defining voices

From the 1940s to the 1970s, a handful of playback singers recorded most of the songs in Hindi cinema. Their recordings are still the reference point for film singing in India.

1. Lata Mangeshkar (1929–2022)

Lata Mangeshkar’s career ran for more than seven decades, with recordings in over 30 languages. She received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989 and the Bharat Ratna in 2001. Her non-film song “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” (1963) is still sung at national events.

Songs to start with: Lag Jaa Gale, Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh, Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon

Listen for: the long held lines in “Lag Jaa Gale”. She sustains each phrase on one breath with no wobble in pitch. That is breath control at its cleanest.

2. Mohammed Rafi (1924–1980)

Rafi sang romantic songs, bhajans, qawwalis, comic songs and patriotic numbers, and adjusted his voice to match each actor on screen. He won the National Film Award for “Kya Hua Tera Wada” (1977) and received the Padma Shri in 1967.

Songs to start with: Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho, Baharon Phool Barsao, Kya Hua Tera Wada

Listen for: volume control in “Baharon Phool Barsao”. He moves from a near-whisper to full voice inside one line without losing tone.

3. Kishore Kumar (1929–1987)

Kishore Kumar was also an actor, composer and director, and had no formal classical training. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer eight times, still the record for the category.

Songs to start with: Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana

Listen for: the yodel in “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana”. He brought the technique into Hindi film songs, and it shows how much character a voice can carry beyond the written melody.

4. Asha Bhosle (1933–2026)

Asha Bhosle died in Mumbai on 12 April 2026, aged 92. She recorded more than 12,000 songs across seven decades, and in 2011 Guinness World Records recognised her as the most recorded artist in music history. She won National Film Awards for “Dil Cheez Kya Hai” (Umrao Jaan, 1981) and “Mera Kuch Saamaan” (Ijaazat, 1988), and was twice nominated for a Grammy. Her last recording, a track on Gorillaz’s album The Mountain, came out in February 2026.

Songs to start with: In Aankhon Ki Masti, Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Dum Maro Dum

Listen for: the contrast between the ghazal “In Aankhon Ki Masti” and the cabaret number “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja”. Same singer, two different voices: soft and controlled in one, breathy and percussive in the other.

5. Mukesh (1923–1976)

Mukesh was the singing voice of Raj Kapoor in most of his films. He won the National Film Award for “Kai Baar Yuhi Dekha Hai” (Rajnigandha, 1974).

Songs to start with: Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein, Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, Jaane Kahan Gaye Woh Din

Listen for: how little ornamentation he uses. Mukesh sings close to the plain melody and lets the words do the work, which is why his songs are a common first choice for beginners.

6. Manna Dey (1919–2013)

Manna Dey trained in Hindustani classical music and became the singer composers called for raga-based film songs. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2005 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2007.

Songs to start with: Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Poochho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitaayi, Ek Chatur Naar

Listen for: the fast sargam passages in “Laga Chunari Mein Daag”, built on Raga Bhairavi. It shows how classical technique can sit inside a three-minute film song.

7. Geeta Dutt (1930–1972)

Geeta Dutt sang for Guru Dutt’s films in the 1950s, including Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. She could move from playful club songs to slow, sad ballads.

Songs to start with: Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam, Babuji Dheere Chalna, Jaane Kya Tune Kahi

Listen for: the soft, close-to-the-mic tone in “Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam”. She sings quietly and still holds the listener.

8. Hemant Kumar (1920–1989)

Hemant Kumar was a singer and composer in both Bengali and Hindi film music, and a leading Rabindra Sangeet singer. He composed the score for Nagin (1954).

Songs to start with: Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahan, Hai Apna Dil To Awara, Bekarar Karke Humein

Listen for: the warmth of his lower range. He rarely pushes for volume, and the steady baritone carries the song.

9. K.L. Saigal (1904–1947)

Kundan Lal Saigal was the first major singing star of Indian cinema, in the years before playback singing was standard and actors often sang their own songs. Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar all named him as an early influence.

Songs to start with: Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Jaye, Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya

Listen for: the unhurried pace. These recordings show where Hindi film singing started, before studio techniques changed the sound.

10. Shamshad Begum (1919–2013)

Shamshad Begum was one of the first female playback stars in Hindi film. Her bright, open voice stood out from the softer style that came after her. She received the Padma Bhushan in 2009.

Songs to start with: Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon, Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar, Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar

Listen for: the full-throated folk style in “Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar”. Many of her songs still get remixed today.

Classical singers who kept India’s traditions alive

Indian classical music has two systems: Hindustani, from the north, and Carnatic, from the south. Both are built on ragas, rhythm cycles and improvisation, and both take years of daily practice. Hindustani singers are usually linked to a gharana, a school with its own style of singing.

11. M.S. Subbulakshmi (1916–2004)

M.S. Subbulakshmi was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, in 1998. In 1966 she sang at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and in 1974 she became the first Indian musician to win the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Her 1963 recording of the Venkateswara Suprabhatam still plays at dawn in homes and temples across South India.

Songs to start with: Kurai Ondrum Illai, Bhaja Govindam, Vishnu Sahasranamam

Listen for: pronunciation. Every Sanskrit and Tamil syllable in “Bhaja Govindam” is clear, even in the fast passages. Carnatic teachers still use her recordings to teach diction.

12. Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (1922–2011)

Bhimsen Joshi sang in the Kirana gharana and received the Bharat Ratna in 2009. He started the Sawai Gandharva music festival in Pune in 1953, which still runs every December. Most Indians know his voice from the opening lines of “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” (1988), the national integration song.

Songs to start with: Jo Bhaje Hari Ko Sada, Raga Miyan Ki Todi, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara

Listen for: the long, fast taans in his Miyan Ki Todi recordings. They need power and stamina, and every note stays in tune.

13. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (1902–1968)

Bade Ghulam Ali Khan led the Patiala gharana and was known for khayal and thumri. He agreed to sing in only one film, Mughal-e-Azam (1960), with the songs “Prem Jogan Ban Ke” and “Shubh Din Aayo”. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1962.

Songs to start with: Yaad Piya Ki Aaye, Ka Karoon Sajni, Prem Jogan Ban Ke

Listen for: the quick ornaments in “Yaad Piya Ki Aaye”. A single word is stretched and decorated in several ways, which is how thumri singers bring out meaning.

14. Kishori Amonkar (1932–2017)

Kishori Amonkar trained in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana under her mother, the singer Mogubai Kurdikar, and later built a style of her own. She received the Padma Vibhushan in 2002.

Songs to start with: Raga Bhoop, Raga Bageshri, Raga Yaman

Listen for: the slow opening (alaap) of her Raga Bhoop. She takes her time with each note before moving on, which shows how much a raga can say with very few notes.

15. Pandit Jasraj (1930–2020)

Pandit Jasraj sang in the Mewati gharana and brought devotional texts into classical concerts. He devised the jasrangi format, in which a male and a female singer perform two different ragas at once. In 2019, the International Astronomical Union named a minor planet after him.

Songs to start with: Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Govind Damodar Madhaveti

Listen for: the devotional build-up in “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”. The chant repeats while the melody slowly rises in intensity.

16. Kumar Gandharva (1924–1992)

Kumar Gandharva lost the use of one lung to tuberculosis in the late 1940s and was told he might not sing again. While recovering in Dewas, he studied the folk songs of the Malwa region, and they shaped his later style, including his Nirgun bhajans on Kabir’s poetry. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1990.

Songs to start with: Ud Jayega Hans Akela, Sunta Hai Guru Gyani

Listen for: short, sharp phrases. His style fitted his breathing after illness, proof that a singer’s limits can shape an original sound.

17. Gangubai Hangal (1913–2009)

Gangubai Hangal sang in the Kirana gharana and faced prejudice over both her gender and her caste background early in her career. She performed for more than 70 years and received the Padma Vibhushan in 2002.

Songs to start with: Raga Bhairav, Raga Todi, Raga Chandrakauns

Listen for: the deep, low tone of her voice, unusual for a woman singer of her time. She never changed it to fit expectations.

18. M. Balamuralikrishna (1930–2016)

Balamuralikrishna was a Carnatic singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist. He composed songs in all 72 melakarta (parent) ragas and created new ragas with only three or four notes, such as Lavangi and Mahati. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1991.

Songs to start with: Oru Naal Podhuma, Nagumomu Ganaleni, Mahadeva Siva Sambho

Listen for: his range in “Oru Naal Podhuma”, from low to very high notes with no strain in between.

19. D.K. Pattammal (1919–2009)

D.K. Pattammal was among the first women to perform ragam-tanam-pallavi, the most demanding part of a Carnatic concert, which was then sung mostly by men. She also recorded many of Subramania Bharati’s patriotic songs. She received the Padma Vibhushan in 1999.

Songs to start with: Shanti Nilava Vendum, Sri Subrahmanyaya Namaste

Listen for: rhythmic precision. Her pallavi singing locks to the tala cycle without drifting.

20. M.L. Vasanthakumari (1928–1990)

M.L. Vasanthakumari (MLV) studied under G.N. Balasubramaniam and later taught singers such as Sudha Ragunathan. She did much to bring Purandara Dasa’s compositions into the concert hall. She received the Padma Bhushan in 1977.

Songs to start with: Baro Krishnayya, Enna Thavam Seithanai, Purandara Dasa kritis

Listen for: the fast brigas (quick, tight note clusters) in her improvised passages.

Voices across Indian languages

Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese and Punjabi music each have their own film and folk industries, often larger than Hindi cinema in their regions. The singers below recorded more songs than most Bollywood stars and are just as central to Indian music.

21. S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (1946–2020)

SPB recorded more than 40,000 songs, by most counts, mainly in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. He won six National Film Awards across four languages, including one for “Tere Mere Beech Mein” from Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), his Hindi debut. He received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 2021.

Songs to start with: Tere Mere Beech Mein, Mannil Indha Kadhalandri, Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya

Listen for: acting through the voice. SPB changed his tone, laughter and diction to match each actor, and every word stays clear.

22. K.J. Yesudas (born 1940)

Yesudas trained in Carnatic music under Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and has recorded tens of thousands of songs in more than ten languages. He holds the record for the most National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, with eight, and received the Padma Vibhushan in 2017. His “Harivarasanam” is played every night when the Sabarimala temple closes.

Songs to start with: Harivarasanam, Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara, Jab Deep Jale Aana

Listen for: classical control inside light songs. In “Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara” the melody is simple, but the pitch and tone are those of a trained Carnatic singer.

23. K.S. Chithra (born 1963)

Chithra has won six National Film Awards, the most for any female playback singer, and received the Padma Bhushan in 2021. She sings in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi, and worked often with A.R. Rahman in the 1990s.

Songs to start with: Kannalane, Piya Basanti, Kehna Hi Kya

Listen for: the clean sustained notes in “Kannalane”. She uses almost no vibrato, so any pitch slip would show, and none does.

24. P. Susheela (born 1935)

P. Susheela was the first winner of the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer, in 1969. In 2016 Guinness World Records recognised her for recording 17,695 songs in six languages, the highest count it had verified for a singer in Indian languages. She also holds the record for most duets with one partner, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.

Songs to start with: Paal Polave, Naalai Indha Velai Paarthu, Aalayamaniyin Osaiyai

Listen for: smooth phrasing and exact pronunciation across Tamil and Telugu, two languages with very different sounds.

25. S. Janaki (1938–2026)

S. Janaki died in Mysuru on 11 July 2026, aged 88, and was cremated with state honours. She recorded more than 48,000 songs in 18 languages over a career that began in 1957. She won four National Film Awards, the first for “Senthoora Poove” (16 Vayathinile, 1977).

Songs to start with: Senthoora Poove, Chinna Chinna Vanna Kuyil, Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum

Listen for: character voices. Janaki could sing as a child, an old woman or a comic figure, then return to a clean romantic tone in the next song.

26. Bhupen Hazarika (1926–2011)

Bhupen Hazarika was an Assamese singer, composer, poet and filmmaker with a PhD from Columbia University. His song “Bistirno Parore” was inspired by Paul Robeson’s “Ol’ Man River”. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna, posthumously, in 2019.

Songs to start with: Bistirno Parore, Manuhe Manuhor Babe, Dil Hoom Hoom Kare

Listen for: the storytelling. His songs on equality and the Brahmaputra are sung like spoken poems, with the words placed ahead of vocal display.

27. Gurdas Maan (born 1957)

Gurdas Maan took Punjabi folk music from stages in Punjab to audiences across India and the diaspora, starting with “Dil Da Mamla Hai” in the early 1980s. His 2015 Coke Studio duet “Ki Banu Duniya Da” with Diljit Dosanjh introduced him to a younger audience.

Songs to start with: Dil Da Mamla Hai, Challa, Ki Banu Duniya Da

Listen for: the folk vocal style in “Challa”: open throat, strong projection and long held notes over a simple beat.

28. Sid Sriram (born 1990)

Sid Sriram grew up in California, trained in Carnatic music from childhood and studied at Berklee College of Music. A.R. Rahman gave him his Tamil film debut with “Adiye” (Kadal, 2013). He now sings mostly in Tamil and Telugu films and performs Carnatic concerts alongside.

Songs to start with: Adiye, Inkem Inkem Inkem Kaavaale, Samajavaragamana

Listen for: Carnatic gamakas (oscillating notes) placed inside R&B-style phrasing. “Samajavaragamana” borrows its title from a Tyagaraja kriti.

Bollywood playback singers from the 1990s to today

Cassettes, satellite TV, then CDs and streaming made playback singers household names from the late 1980s onward. Many of the singers below were discovered through TV talent shows.

29. Shreya Ghoshal (born 1984)

Shreya Ghoshal won a children’s TV singing contest before Sanjay Leela Bhansali chose her, at 16, to sing for Devdas (2002). That debut won her the first of five National Film Awards. She sings in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and more. In 2010, the governor of Ohio declared 26 June “Shreya Ghoshal Day”.

Songs to start with: Bairi Piya, Munbe Vaa, Deewani Mastani

Listen for: pitch accuracy in the classical runs of “Bairi Piya”, recorded when she was still a teenager.

30. Arijit Singh (born 1987)

Arijit Singh first appeared on the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005 and worked as a music programmer before “Tum Hi Ho” (Aashiqui 2, 2013) made him the leading playback voice of his generation. He won National Film Awards for “Binte Dil” (Padmaavat) and “Kesariya” (Brahmastra), and received the Padma Shri in 2025.

Songs to start with: Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Kesariya

Listen for: the soft, airy start of his phrases and the strain he lets in on the high notes of “Channa Mereya”. It sounds raw on purpose.

31. Sonu Nigam (born 1973)

Sonu Nigam began on stage as a child singing Mohammed Rafi songs and hosted Sa Re Ga Ma on TV in the 1990s. He won the National Film Award for “Kal Ho Naa Ho” (2003) and received the Padma Shri in 2022.

Songs to start with: Kal Ho Naa Ho, Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin, Saathiya

Listen for: dynamics in “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin”, which moves from a quiet opening to a full-voiced climax over a wide range.

32. Alka Yagnik (born 1966)

Alka Yagnik’s breakthrough was “Ek Do Teen” from Tezaab (1988). Through the 1990s and early 2000s she sang the female lead in a large share of Hindi film soundtracks.

Songs to start with: Agar Tum Saath Ho, Taal Se Taal Mila, Ek Do Teen

Listen for: steady, sweet tone with no forcing. Her pitch stays centred even on long sustained lines.

33. Udit Narayan (born 1955)

Udit Narayan started in Nepali films and had his Hindi breakthrough with “Papa Kehte Hain” (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, 1988). He received the Padma Bhushan in 2016.

Songs to start with: Pehla Nasha, Papa Kehte Hain, Mitwa (Lagaan)

Listen for: the youthful, bright tone that made him the voice of the 1990s romantic hero.

34. Kumar Sanu (born 1957)

Kumar Sanu won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer five years in a row, from 1991 to 1995. He is widely reported to have recorded 28 songs in a single day in 1993. He received the Padma Shri in 2009.

Songs to start with: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, Tujhe Dekha To, Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye

Listen for: a consistent, slightly nasal tone that never changes from song to song. That consistency made his voice instantly recognisable.

35. Kavita Krishnamurthy (born 1958)

Kavita Krishnamurthy trained in Hindustani classical music and was the choice for songs that needed both technique and drama in the 1990s. She is married to violinist L. Subramaniam and received the Padma Shri in 2005.

Songs to start with: Pyar Hua Chupke Se, Hawa Hawai, Nimbooda

Listen for: the controlled power in “Pyar Hua Chupke Se”, full voice without harshness.

36. Sunidhi Chauhan (born 1983)

Sunidhi Chauhan won the TV contest Meri Awaz Suno as a child and broke through with “Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi” (Mast, 1999). She moves between dance tracks, folk-style songs and ballads.

Songs to start with: Beedi, Kamli, Sheila Ki Jawani

Listen for: the belted high notes in “Kamli”. It is a power style built on strong breath support.

37. Shaan (born 1972)

Shaan came up through Indian pop with the album Tanha Dil (2000) and became a regular playback voice for romantic and youth songs. He has also hosted several TV singing shows.

Songs to start with: Chand Sifarish, Jab Se Tere Naina, Tanha Dil

Listen for: relaxed, conversational phrasing that makes difficult lines sound easy.

38. KK (1968–2022)

Krishnakumar Kunnath had no formal training and sang thousands of advertising jingles before films. His 1999 album Pal, with “Yaaron”, became a school and college farewell anthem. He died in Kolkata on 31 May 2022, shortly after a live concert.

Songs to start with: Yaaron, Pal, Tadap Tadap, Zara Sa

Listen for: the clean head voice he uses on high notes in “Zara Sa”, instead of shouting them.

39. Sukhwinder Singh (born 1971)

Sukhwinder Singh sang “Chaiyya Chaiyya” (Dil Se, 1998) and “Jai Ho” (Slumdog Millionaire), the song that won A.R. Rahman and Gulzar the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2009.

Songs to start with: Chaiyya Chaiyya, Jai Ho, Haule Haule

Listen for: rhythmic attack. His consonants land exactly on the beat, which drives the energy of his songs.

40. Shankar Mahadevan (born 1967)

Shankar Mahadevan worked as a software engineer before turning to music full-time. His 1998 single “Breathless” is sung as if without a pause for breath. He composes as part of Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, received the Padma Shri in 2019, and in 2024 won a Grammy for Best Global Music Album as the vocalist of the fusion band Shakti, for This Moment.

Songs to start with: Breathless, Maa (Taare Zameen Par), Mitwa (Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna)

Listen for: how “Breathless” hides its breaths. The pauses are short and placed between words, not missing.

Ghazal, Sufi, folk and independent voices

Outside film and the classical stage, ghazal, Sufi and folk singers put the poetry first. Melody and voice serve the words.

41. Jagjit Singh (1941–2011)

Jagjit Singh brought ghazals to a mass audience with simpler arrangements and Western instruments, often singing with his wife, Chitra Singh. His songs for Arth (1982) and Prem Geet (1981) took the form into film. He received the Padma Bhushan in 2003.

Songs to start with: Hothon Se Chhoo Lo Tum, Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho, Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar

Listen for: Urdu diction. Every word is clear and unhurried, which is why his recordings are often the first ghazals students learn.

42. Begum Akhtar (1914–1974)

Begum Akhtar was the leading voice of ghazal, dadra and thumri in the 20th century and is often called Mallika-e-Ghazal, Queen of Ghazal. She received the Padma Shri in 1968 and the Padma Bhushan posthumously in 1975.

Songs to start with: Ae Mohabbat Tere Anjaam Pe Rona Aaya, Deewana Banana Hai To, Woh Jo Hum Mein Tum Mein Qarar Tha

Listen for: the slight catch, or break, in her voice on emotional words. She used it on purpose, and singers still study where she placed it.

43. Kailash Kher (born 1973)

Kailash Kher broke through with “Allah Ke Bande” (2003) and leads the band Kailasa. His style draws on Sufi and folk singing. He received the Padma Shri in 2017.

Songs to start with: Allah Ke Bande, Teri Deewani, Saiyyan

Listen for: raw, open-throated high notes in “Teri Deewani”, closer to devotional and folk singing than to studio pop.

44. Rabbi Shergill (born 1973)

Rabbi Shergill set the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah’s verses to rock guitar in “Bulla Ki Jaana” (2004), one of the first Indian independent songs to reach a national audience without a film behind it.

Songs to start with: Bulla Ki Jaana, Tere Bin, Avengi Ja Nahin

Listen for: the near-spoken delivery. The song’s power comes from the text, with the voice kept plain.

45. Diljit Dosanjh (born 1984)

Diljit Dosanjh mixes Punjabi folk with pop and hip-hop production and is also a film actor. In 2023 he became the first Punjabi artist to perform at the Coachella festival in California, and his 2024 Dil-Luminati tour sold out arenas in North America, Europe and India.

Songs to start with: Born to Shine, Lover, Do You Know

Listen for: Punjabi folk ornaments (short turns on held notes) sitting over modern beats.

Streaming-era singers

Streaming, YouTube and Instagram mean a singer no longer needs a film to reach listeners. The artists below release independent singles and play live tours alongside film work.

46. Armaan Malik (born 1995)

Armaan Malik sang on the children’s edition of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa before moving into playback singing in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and other languages. In 2020 he released “Control”, an English-language pop single.

Songs to start with: Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon, Bol Do Na Zara, Control

Listen for: smooth, close-mic pop phrasing with light falsetto, a style built for headphones rather than big halls.

47. Jubin Nautiyal (born 1989)

Jubin Nautiyal comes from Dehradun in Uttarakhand and appeared on X Factor India in 2011. “Raataan Lambiyan” (Shershaah, 2021) became one of the most-streamed Hindi songs of its year.

Songs to start with: Raataan Lambiyan, Lut Gaye, Humnava Mere

Listen for: a warm, low-middle range he rarely pushes, which suits slow romantic songs.

48. Neha Kakkar (born 1988)

Neha Kakkar was a contestant on Indian Idol in 2006 and later returned to the show as a judge. She built a large following through film songs, recreated hits and her social media channels.

Songs to start with: Dilbar, Aankh Marey, Garmi

Listen for: the bright, forward tone made for dance tracks and short-form video.

49. Mohit Chauhan (born 1966)

Mohit Chauhan was the lead singer of Silk Route, whose “Dooba Dooba” (1998) was a pop hit, before he moved into playback singing with songs for Imtiaz Ali’s films.

Songs to start with: Tum Se Hi, Kun Faya Kun, Dooba Dooba

Listen for: a soft, conversational delivery. He sings close to how he speaks, without heavy ornaments.

50. A.R. Rahman (born 1967)

A.R. Rahman is best known as a composer: his score for Slumdog Millionaire won two Oscars in 2009 and two Grammys in 2010. He also sings his own songs, and his voice is a familiar part of his soundtracks.

Songs to start with: Khwaja Mere Khwaja, Dil Se Re, Tere Bina

Listen for: Sufi-style melisma (many notes on one syllable) in “Khwaja Mere Khwaja”.

Honourable mentions

Fifty is not enough. These singers come up in almost every serious discussion of Indian music:

• Mahendra Kapoor (1934–2008): the voice of Manoj Kumar’s patriotic films, including “Mere Desh Ki Dharti”.
• Talat Mahmood (1924–1998): known for his velvety, trembling tone in ghazal-style film songs such as “Jalte Hain Jiske Liye”.
• Hariharan (born 1955): a ghazal singer and playback voice of 1990s Tamil and Hindi film, including “Tu Hi Re” (Bombay).
• Sadhana Sargam: Udit Narayan’s frequent partner on 1990s duets, including “Pehla Nasha”.
• Pankaj Udhas (1951–2024): brought the ghazal into film with “Chitthi Aayi Hai” (Naam, 1986).
• Ustad Rashid Khan (1968–2024): a Rampur-Sahaswan gharana vocalist, also known for “Aaoge Jab Tum” (Jab We Met).
• Kaushiki Chakraborty (born 1980): a leading Hindustani vocalist of her generation, trained in the Patiala gharana by her father, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty.
• Bombay Jayashri: a Carnatic vocalist whose “Pi’s Lullaby” for Life of Pi was nominated for the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2013.

Awards and records at a glance

Which singer to study for which skill

Listening is part of practice. When a student is working on a particular skill, these are the recordings we point them to.

What learners can take from these 50 singers

1. Training comes first, even for “natural” singers

Most singers on this list trained for years. Bhimsen Joshi left home as a boy to find a guru. Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Sid Sriram all trained in classical music before film work. Even Kishore Kumar and KK, who had no formal training, spent years singing every day. For children, the basics are pitch, rhythm, breath control and phrasing. Learning why a melody works makes every later song easier.

2. Every voice is different, and that is the point

Kishore Kumar’s playful baritone sounds nothing like Mohammed Rafi’s flexible tenor. Gangubai Hangal kept her deep voice when women singers were expected to sound light. Copying a favourite singer is a good exercise, but long-term progress comes from knowing your own vocal registers, strengths and limits.

Teacher’s note – Serah John: “The most common mistake is trying to imitate the singer’s voice rather than learning how to sing the song correctly. Children often force their voices to sound powerful, husky, or reach high notes like their favourite artists, without understanding pitch, breathing, or vocal technique. We encourage children to develop their own natural voices first, because good singing is about control and expression, not imitation.“

3. Meaning matters as much as notes

M.S. Subbulakshmi’s devotional songs and Arijit Singh’s ballads both work because the singer means every word. Children who understand the lyrics and the mood of a song sing it better. Ask them what a song is about before they sing it.

4. Short daily practice beats long weekly sessions

Singing needs breathing, hearing, pitch and memory to work together, and that coordination builds slowly. For young beginners, 10–15 minutes on most days usually works better than one long session a week. Adjust the time to the child’s age and the teacher’s advice. Our guide to a daily riyaz routine for kids has a sample plan.

5. Listen across genres

A child learning Hindustani music hears ragas and improvisation. A Western vocal student works on harmony and registers. Listening to Carnatic music, folk, ghazals and film songs as well shows how many ways a melody can be shaped. The goal is a curious, well-rounded musician, not mastery of every style.

How parents can introduce children to these singers

You don’t need to explain music theory. Start with listening at home:

1. Make a family playlist. Mix generations and languages: Lata Mangeshkar, K.J. Yesudas, Shreya Ghoshal, Arijit Singh. Add a few Carnatic songs for beginners too.
2. Talk about feelings. Ask whether a song sounds happy, calm, energetic or sad, and why.
3. Compare styles. Play a classical recording, then a film song, and ask what changed: speed, voice, instruments.
4. Listen actively. Ask your child to spot when the pitch rises, the tempo speeds up or the volume drops. Younger children can clap, move or hum along.
5. Connect listening with lessons. If your child takes music classes, encourage them to bring a song they love to their teacher.

Teacher’s note — Serah John: “I’d start with Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, and Shreya Ghoshal. Lata Mangeshkar is wonderful for introducing children to clear melodies and accurate pitch, Kishore Kumar makes music playful and expressive, while Shreya Ghoshal demonstrates beautiful vocal control and clarity. At this age, the goal is to help children listen, recognise melodies, and enjoy music rather than attempt technically difficult songs.”

“Songs such as Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Papa Kehte Hain, and Tanha Dil can be good starting points when simplified, transposed to a comfortable key, and taught in age-appropriate sections. However, technically demanding songs like Breathless, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, and Kun Faya Kun are better left for later stages, as they require greater vocal control, breath coordination, and musical maturity. The right song for a child is not necessarily the easiest song to listen to, but one they can sing comfortably without straining their voice.“

How Music Pandit builds strong foundations

Listening to great singers often makes a child want to sing. Turning that interest into skill takes structured lessons, not just a long list of songs.

Music Pandit runs live online music classes for children in Hindustani vocals, Carnatic vocals and Western vocals. Lessons cover pitch, rhythm, listening, vocal technique and performance, taught through age-appropriate songs and exercises. Groups have a maximum of five students, so each child gets individual attention. Regular assessments and performance opportunities show parents how their child is progressing.

Explore our online music classes for kids to find the right starting point for your child.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the greatest Indian singer of all time?

There is no single answer, because India has several distinct music traditions. Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi are most often named for film music, and M.S. Subbulakshmi and Bhimsen Joshi for classical music. Three of those four received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

Who is the No. 1 singer in India?

There is no official ranking. By national honours, Lata Mangeshkar and M.S. Subbulakshmi stand highest among singers, as Bharat Ratna recipients. Among singers working today, Arijit Singh has been the most in-demand Hindi playback singer of the past decade.

Which Indian singers have won a Grammy?

A.R. Rahman won two Grammys in 2010 for Slumdog Millionaire. Shankar Mahadevan won the 2024 Grammy for Best Global Music Album as the vocalist of the band Shakti. Asha Bhosle was nominated twice.

Which Indian singer has recorded the most songs?

Guinness World Records recognised Asha Bhosle as the most recorded artist in 2011 and P. Susheela for 17,695 songs in Indian languages in 2016. S. Janaki (over 48,000) and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (over 40,000) have higher reported totals, though these counts are not independently verified.

Who are the best female singers in India?

Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, M.S. Subbulakshmi, P. Susheela, S. Janaki, K.S. Chithra, Kishori Amonkar, Alka Yagnik, Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan are among the most celebrated, across classical, playback and contemporary music.

Who are the best male singers in India?

Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.J. Yesudas, Bhimsen Joshi, Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan and Arijit Singh are among the most admired.

Which Indian singers are known for classical music?

In Hindustani music: Bhimsen Joshi, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Kishori Amonkar, Pandit Jasraj, Kumar Gandharva and Gangubai Hangal. In Carnatic music: M.S. Subbulakshmi, M. Balamuralikrishna, D.K. Pattammal and M.L. Vasanthakumari.

At what age should children start learning singing?

Many children are ready for structured singing lessons at around six or seven, though readiness varies. At this stage, lessons should focus on enjoyment, pitch recognition, rhythm and gentle vocal exercises, not demanding techniques.

Can children learn Indian classical singing online?

Yes. Children can learn the basics of Hindustani and Carnatic singing in live online classes with qualified teachers. Regular feedback and guided practice matter most. Advanced technique needs closer individual attention as students progress.

The voices that shaped Indian music

Some of these singers kept centuries-old classical traditions alive. Others set the sound of Indian cinema, took regional music to the world or started new styles. What they share is years of practice and the ability to carry meaning through their voice.

For anyone learning to sing, that is the lesson: a good voice is a starting point. Musical understanding, steady practice, expression and a sound of your own are what make a singer. For children, listening to these 50 singers is a good first step.