The musical history of India is extensive and diverse, dating back thousands of years. Indian music has attracted listeners all around the world, from traditional Hindustani and Carnatic music to the catchy sounds of Bollywood cinema songs. This article tries to examine the best Indian musical composers of all time, whose compositions have influenced Indian culture and helped shape the evolution of Indian music. We will dig deeper into these composers’ lives and accomplishments, spotlighting their most important compositions and talking about their musical idioms and legacies. As we commemorate the greatest Indian composers of all time, come along on this musical trip with us.
List of Indian Music Composers
1. A. R. Rahman
Birthdate: January 6, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
An Indian film composer, performer, songwriter, and record producer by the name of A. R. Rahman. One of the most honored and well-known musicians in Indian history is Rahman. In addition to two Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award, he also received many other notable honors. He was listed as one of Time magazine’s top 100 important people in 2009.
2. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Birthdate: June 4, 1946
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
Deceased: 25 September 2020
Playback singer, music director, actor, television host, film producer, and voice actor P. Balasubrahmanyam was from India. Balasubrahmanyam, who was widely considered as one of his generation’s most talented vocalists, won six National Film Awards throughout his distinguished five-decade singing career. The second-highest civilian award in India, the Padma Vibhushan, was given to him posthumously.
3. Anirudh Ravichander
Birthdate: October 16, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chennai
Indian singer and film composer Anirudh Ravichander. When his debut song Why This Kolaveri Di went popular online in 2012, he attained global notoriety. Anirudh has now gained prominence as a composer in the Tamil cinema industry. He has won several important honors throughout the years, including Edison Awards, Vijay Awards, and Mirchi Music Awards South.
4. G. V. Prakash Kumar
Birthdate: June 13, 1987
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chennai
Indian cinema composer, singer, producer, and actor G. V. Prakash Kumar is also an actor. Prakash Kumar began his career as an actor after beginning it as a music composer for Tamil movies. Prakash Kumar, one of the most well-known music composers in the Tamil cinema business, has won several honors including Filmfare Awards South and MTV Awards.
5. Sonu Nigam
Birthdate: July 30, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Faridabad
Sonu Nigam is an Indian musician, performer, and director of the theater. Sonu, also known as The Lord of Chords, is considered as one of the finest live performers in the entire world. More than 4000 songs in numerous Indian languages are ascribed to him as recordings. Additionally, he has received several honors, including Filmfare, National, and Indian Television Academy awards.
6. Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Birthdate: February 24, 1963
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Indian filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali is renowned for his rich settings, star-studded casts, and epic romantic and historical drama movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Bajirao Mastani. In addition to five National Film Awards, the recipient also possesses a Padma Shri.
7. Yo Yo Honey Singh
Birthdate: March 15, 1983
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Jalandhar
Yo Yo Honey Singh is an Indian rapper, pop singer, music producer, writer, actor, and composer. He is presently among the best-known and highest-paid musicians in India’s music business. In addition to the Zee Cine Award, he has won the MTV VMAI Award, MTV EMA Award, UK Asian Music Award, BritAsia TV Music Award, and UK Asian Music Award.
8. Rahul Dev Burman
Birthdate: June 27, 1939
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kolkata
Dead as of January 4, 1994
An Indian composer and music director, Rahul Dev Burman. He is recognized as one of the most influential musicians in Indian music history. Songs he wrote are credited for helping vocalists like Kishore Kumar establish their careers. A new generation of Indian music directors has been influenced by his works.
9. Kumar Sanu
Birthdate: September 23, 1957
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Born Kedarnath Bhattacharaya, Kumar Sanu became known as the King of Melody in Bollywood. One of the best playback singers in Indian history, he made the 1990s memorable with songs like Kuch Na Kaho and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen. The Padma Shri laureate and fellow vocalist Alka Yagnik had a number of successful duets.
10. Bappi Lahiri
Birthdate: November 27, 1952
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kolkata
Dead as of 16 February 2022
An Indian singer and songwriter, Bappi Lahiri. He made the usage of synthetic disco music in Indian movies more common. His work in dance movies like Dance Dance and Disco Dancer helped him gain prominence in the 1980s and 1990s.
11. Alka Yagnik
Birthdate: March 20, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kolkata
Playback vocalist from India, Alka Yagnik. In her distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, Yagnik, one of the most well-known female playback singers in Bollywood, has won a record seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards. In addition to these honors, Alka Yagnik has also received Zee Cine Awards, Global Indian Film Awards, and Bollywood Movie Awards.
12. Vijay Antony
Birthdate: July 24, 1975
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Nagercoil
Vijay Antony began his career as a sound engineer before progressing to become a well-known music director in the Tamil cinema industry. He was first recognized for his music in movies like Vettaikaaran and Kadhalil Vizhunthen, but with Naan, he transitioned into acting. At Cannes, he received the Golden Lion for his song Naaka Mukka.
13. Badshah
Birthdate: November 19, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New Delhi, India
Singer, rapper, businessman, and producer of motion pictures, Badshah. As one of India’s highest-paid musicians, Badshah is also recognized as one of the country’s most divisive rappers. Despite being controversial, Genda Phool is one of the most popular songs in Indian history. He has been on Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list three times.
14. Shankar Mahadevan
Birthdate: March 3, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chembur
A vocalist and composer for Indian movies, Shankar Mahadevan. He is one of the three members of the well-known musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, which mostly writes music for Bollywood movies. Three National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer have been given to renowned playback singer Mahadevan. Shankar Mahadevan received the Padma Shri award in 2019 in recognition of his contributions to cinema music.
15. M.M. Keeravaani
Birthdate: July 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kovvur
An Indian playback vocalist, composer, and lyricist by the name of M.M. Keeravaani. Keeravani, one of the most well-known and honored music directors in Telugu cinema, has won 11 Nandi Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, and a National Film Award. He has written the music over the years for well-liked and profitable films including Baahubali.
16. Yuvan Shankar Raja
Birthdate: August 31, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chennai, India
Singer-songwriter and music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja. He is credited with introducing hip-hop to the Tamil music business, and in the 2000s, he rose to prominence as one of the genre’s most in-demand composers. He became the first Indian composer to win the Cyprus International Film Festival Award in 2006 with his victory. He has also received additional honors, such as the South Filmfare Awards.
17. Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar
Birthdate: November 3, 1937
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mumbai, India
Died on 25 May 1998.
Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar, a member of the renowned Indian music composition team Laxmikant-Pyarelal, had a difficult upbringing in the Mumbai slums and went on to dominate the Hindi cinema music business for decades. After his father passed away, he turned to music to help support his family, and he hasn’t looked back.