The Indian subcontinent is not just unity in diversity in terms of topography but it also harbors a huge stream of music diversification. If someone asks what Indian music truly comprises, it will be difficult to define because of the limitlessness in terms of forms, language, styles, history, culture, and more. In India, there are different types of music from classical to folk, the empowering Bollywood pop to religious songs. The variation is so deep and underlined that the country has produced thousands of musicians taking their respective genres to the epitome of creative and artistic accomplishment.
The following countdown lists 7 of the most influential music artists to have come out of India across genres who have paved the path of identity on the global platform.
Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920-2012)
He has contributed endlessly to the scope of Indian or Hindustani classical music. He was the most celebrated sitar player from India and represented the country with flying colors on the global stage. He is the most dynamic maestros of music to have walked the earth. Not only was he famous in his home country, but his music also had a tremendous global impact most significantly creative following by George Harrison and The Byrds. Over the years, he received numerous accolades and awards including the Bharat Ratna.
Ustad Bismillah Khan (1913 – 2006)
He was a spectacular musician specializing in an Indian instrument called shehnai. His art captured the essence of his homeland. In fact, the instrument was also popularized because of him. This iconic figure has been part of some of the most historically significant events in the country such as the very first Republic Day as well as Independence Day. Over the years of his career, not only did he received widespread acclaim but was also bestowed with titles, awards, and honors inclosing Bharat Ratna, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and Padma Bhushan among many others.
Hariprasad Chaurasia (1938 – present)
He is a flutist who is one of the most iconic musicians of India. He plays a bamboo flute and is also the recipient of honorable awards and accolades including a Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shree. He did not belong to any musical family and struggled to establish a career as a musician. He was deeply influenced by the playing of Pandit Bholanath Prasanna. He began playing the instrument under his wing and the rest is history.
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (1938 – present)
He is a santoor player who popularized the instrumental in the scope of classical music. He also received the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shree apart from receiving numerous global accolades. After his success in classical music, he also garnered widespread popularity as a music scorer in the film industry. Some of his most stand-out works in films include scoring for blockbuster Hindi movies such as Chandni and Silsila. His brilliance is such that he continues to radiate his artistic approach in the modern musical space in India.
R.D. Burman (1939 – 2004)
R.D. Burman, popularly known as Panchamda is the pioneer of film music scoring in India. He was the man to have introduced Western streaks into Hindi music. His compositions garnered widespread engagement among critics and audiences as he emerged as the best in the industry. His music was highly inspired by Persian and Arabian tunes that further helped broaden the scope of Hindi music. This ground-breaking music artist was also a singer who has worked in multiple languages. His concepts of fusion music continue to mesmerize the audience even to this day.
Jagjit Singh (1941 – 2011)
He was a musician as well as an author who was known as the Gazal King. His voice was soulful and brimmed with intense emotional undulation. Although he was primarily a gazal artist, he went on to lend his voice across diverse genres. His wife, Chitra was another big name in the scope of gazal music and the duo was one of the most influential musical pairs of that time. His music has always stirred raw emotions among the audiences and thus his popularity.
AR Rahman (1967 – present)
He is an artist who helped India to reach the global stage including the Oscars. He is a visionary and has been ruling the industry for the past two decades. He works across genres delivering experimental and fusion tunes. He has two Grammy, two Oscars, one Bafta, a Golden Globe, four National Awards, and 15 Filmfare Awards to his name.
Take your pick and indulge in a beautiful scope of the musical journey of Indian origin.