India is one of the most culturally rich countries in the world and one thing is certain music belongs to the heart of the musicians. Bollywood and Indian movies play a vital role in cultivating Indian music and its diversified taste through various songs and thanks to the artists who make them priceless with their creative singing skills. Through all these years, Bollywood has introduced the masses to some of the best singers in the country who are not just talented but ‘Legend’ who made Bollywood songs more fun, captivating, and emotionally enriched.
However, there are numerous artists who deserve to settle in that mark and the number is high. Let’s take a look at the top 10 artists from the past and the present who dominated the music industry with their singing prowess.
Top 10 Singing Legends of Bollywood
1. Lata Mangeshkar
The first name on the list has to be Lata Mangeshkar who is also known as the Nightingale of India. The legend has set a mark in Bollywood music with her amazing hold of Indian classical music. Each song performed by the artist has set a benchmark in the industry and become an inspiration for the next generations of artists. As a result, her magical voice has transitioned through time and has become timeless and her songs are equally enjoyed these days. With a huge and prolific music career that spans over 7 decades, she was not just a singer but an institution whom everyone admired and respected.
It is just amazing to witness that her timeless voice with no change allowed it to be synced with the onscreen actresses of all eras in their prime, starting from Meena Kumari to Preity Zinta. She has worked with every prime music director including S.D. Burman, R.D. Burman, to Shankar-Jaikishan to AR Rahman. With her unparalleled contributions to the music industry, Lata Mangeshkar has won numerous awards for her musical works including the prestigious Bharat Ratna, Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards, and the list goes on. Her unwavering charm of music prevails through every era through the hearts of the listeners.
2. Kishore Kumar
Think about singing, acting, joking, playing, dancing, and everything together in a single act; the ultimate entertainer of India; Kishore Kumar remains a legend for a reason. The artist had an aura that could captivate everyone’s heart. The multifaceted singer showed an unwavering passion for music which used to reflect through his personality as well. Whether it is ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani’, ‘Kiska Rasta Dekhe’, or ‘Pag Ghungroo Baandh’; Kishore’s magic was visible in every song he performed. His charm and charismatic personality make him one of the best artists in India who cannot be replaced. With his fine craftsmanship art and music, the artist could imitate and channel every emotion through his works whether it is soothing, funny, poignant romantic, or energetic.
Misreading through various styles of music work, Kishore Kumar was able to break the stereotypes of Indian music and the conventions of Indian Music that preached classical music the most. Their uniqueness Kumar always allowed him to think outside of the box and he will always be the inspirational music legend who knows how to bend boundaries.
3. Mohammed Rafi
In the rich diversity of Bollywood music, there are some artists who made sure to resonate with the hearts of the mass audiences, and Mohammed Rafi was one of the top of them. This music artist has won the hearts of millions with an emotive and organic energy that could stir people from the inside. Most of the timeless melodies of Bollywood music are sung by Rafi only who was considered to have a ‘Golden Voice’.
With a symphony of emotions and transcending melodies, Rafi has offered music lovers numerous engaging tracks starting from “Kya Hua Tera Wada“, “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar ke Charche” and many others. Rafi has worked with S.D Burman and many other directors for some of the hit movie projects such as ‘Guide’. ‘Aradhana’, ‘Kala Bazar’, ‘Kaagaz Ke Phool’, etc many others.
4. Asha Bhosle
Right after Lata ji, who took the oar of the music industry sails and sales; it was none but music legend Asha Bhosle who is an icon and a role model for many. With her versatility and vocal prowess; the singer has offered numerous timeless tracks. With strong musical roots in the family; Asha’s exposure to music started at a very young age and she started singing from her child. With a dynamic approach to music and the ability to push the boundaries; she could be found doing everything whether cabarets, ghazals, or any collaboration with Western artists. Meandering through various styles of romantic, peppy as well as sad tracks; there is an Asha track for every emotion.
Her collaboration with R.D. Burman helped Bollywood find a new taste in music that combines Indian flavors with Western elements. The velvety texture of Asha’s voice reflected through each song such as ‘Jawani Janeman’, ‘Mera Kuch Saman’, ‘Parde Mein Rahne Do’, and the list goes on. Her dedication to music and the courageous aura to overcome anything is what made her a legend to music artists of all ages.
5. Udit Narayan
Udit Narayan is one of the most sweet and humble music artists who is a veteran in the industry. His melodious vocal texture could easily blend with all kinds of music, whether it is something peppy and energetic like ‘Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast’ or the highly romantic and seductive essence in ‘Tip Tip Barsa Pani’ as well as hopeful romantic ‘Akele Hum Akele Tum’. Udit Narayan’s uniquely melodic voice goes pretty well with all kinds of emotions. The singer has worked with many music directors including Anand-Milind, A.R. Rahman, Jatin-Lalit, and many others, and offers timeless melodies. The song always keeps buzzing among Indian music lovers of all ages and tastes.
6. Alka Yagnik
The music artist who quickly became the icon of the music industry back in the 90s as well as in the 2000s; was Alka Yagnik who single-handedly offered consistent Bollywood tracks. The Bollywood music industry found a voice that could make the audience enthralled and Yagnik became the ultimate star. Her first breakthrough in Bollywood was ‘Mere Angne Mein’ for the movie ‘Laawaris’ (1981). Then it was a long halt until Alka sang again in the movie ‘Tezaab’ in 1988 for the track ‘Ek Do Teen’. The song became the ultimate hit of the year and Alka received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
The singer’s beautiful vocal texture and knowledge of music have allowed her to sing in 25 languages she has also performed in 15 Pakistani songs. Working with the directors like Nadeem-Shravan, Anu Malik, as well as AR Rahman; Alka’s individuality in music and singing is well utilized in various songs. The incredible musical journey of this highly talented music artist is still ongoing.
7. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Well, there are some artists whose spirits belong to music and S P Balasubrahmanyam is one of them. This musical legend is called Balu in the Bollywood industry; a humble artist who is a friend of everyone. Starting his career with the Telegu movie ‘Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna’, he first started doing playback singing back in 1966. With a significant amount of contributions, the artist received a lot of accolades from the Telegu industry and then started working in Bollywood too. In 1981, he did the track ‘Tere Mere Beech Mein’ for the movie ‘Ek Duje Ke Liye’. Later on, he was again heard on ‘Sach Mere Yaar Hai’, and the movie was released in 1985. However, the most hit work was when Balu did payback singing for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ and gave voice to Salman.
With amazing music projects like ‘Aaja Sham Hone Aayi’, ‘Mere Rang Mein Rangnewali’, ‘Yeh Raat Aur Yeh Doorie’, ‘Tumse Milne Ki Tamanna Hai’, ‘Sathiya Yeh Tune Kya Kiya’, and many others the artist made his place in the hearts of all kinds of music lovers. The combination of smooth and raspy vocals added more creativity to the tracks and made it more engaging for everyone. The huge collection of melodious tracks in various languages; S. P. Balasubrahmanyam set a new benchmark in Indian music.
8. Shreya Ghoshal
If there is an artist who can revolve at the epitome of the Indian music industry with unparalleled skills and flamboyancy; that would be no one but Shreya Ghosal. The queen claimed her Throne in the industry with her magical hold in both Indian classical and Bollywood music. Whether it is ‘Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka’ from Devdas or ‘Ami je Tomar’ from ‘Bhool Bhoolaiya’; her singing prowess is quite high in every song she performed. The singer has made everyone astonished with her absolute precision in music.
Shreya’s love and dedication for music started at a very young age and the artist first gained the attention of the industry when she performed at the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – Children’s Special episode. Having the most melodic and enriched voice in the industry; Shreya is capable of meandering through all kinds of soundscapes and that is reflected through the tracks like ‘Dheere Jalna’, ‘Param Sundari’, and many others. She is one of the most successful Indian singers who received five National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards, and numerous other accolades for her precious contributions.
9. Arijit Singh
Arijit Singh’s songs have become the voice of every Indian heart. He was a kid singer at the Fame Gurukul in 2005 who did not even make it to the Finale. Yet, he is currently one of the most successful male singers in the country. His first breakthrough track in Bollywood was when he sang ‘Tum Hi Ho’ from Aashiqui 2 and the song created a huge buzz among music lovers of all ages. The song became so popular that he won the Filmfare Award for Male Playback Singer in 2013 for this amazing work. Later on, he worked on numerous music projects which brought him even closer to Indian Audiences.
Starting from ‘Balam Pichkari’, ‘Samjhawan’, ‘Yeh Laal Ishq’, to ‘Phir Leh Aaye Dil’, ‘Gerua’, and many others; Arijit Singh has offered numerous amazing songs within his prolific music career that spans around decade. Whether it is romantic, poignant, or some energetic item track; he can do it all. His amazing vocal range and versatile skills allow him to experiment with different styles and melodies. Always open to opportunities; the singer is looking forward to collaborating with Western artists such as DJ Martin Garrix.
1o. Sunidhi Chauhan
Sunidhi Chauhan is a powerhouse of the Indian music industry who is well revered for her highly powerful music projects. She was a child artist as well who first gained the attention of the industry through a reality show known as ‘Meri Awaz Suno’. Her first playback music project was ‘Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi’ from the movie ‘Mast’ which became an instant hit. Later on, the artist kept coming back with more hit projects like ‘Mahi Ve’ in Kaante, ‘Bhumro’ in Mission Kashmir, ‘Mehboob Mere’ in Fiza, and the list goes on. The powerful husky voice with raw energy surely tantalized the hearts of the Indian listeners. She has worked with many directors like Vishal-Shekhar, Pritam, and A.R. Rahman, and owned the tracks with her paramount skills.
One of the greatest things about Sunidhi Chauhan is that she always sticks to her authenticity and through all these years; she has performed wonderfully, gracefully, and fearlessly. With her dynamic nature in music, the singer has also collaborated with Enrique Iglesias for the song ‘Heartbeat’ which gained much attention on its release.
Concluding Thoughts
The Indian Music Industry is huge and ever-evolving. Every year, many new music artists are being introduced and new voices emerge in the industries. While the top list can change with time, the influence of these talented music artists will remain eternally.
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