1. Ravi Shankar:
Ravi Shankar was a sitar virtuoso and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He popularized Indian classical music in the Western world and collaborated with renowned artists, such as George Harrison of the Beatles.
2. Ali Akbar Khan:
Ali Akbar Khan was a maestro of the sarod, a plucked string instrument. He was a leading exponent of Hindustani classical music and a highly regarded teacher who trained numerous disciples.
3. Zakir Hussain:
Zakir Hussain is a world-renowned tabla player, percussionist, and composer. He has performed with renowned artists across various genres and is known for his exceptional virtuosity and innovative collaborations.
4. Lata Mangeshkar:
Lata Mangeshkar was an iconic playback singer in the Indian film industry. Known as the "Nightingale of India," she recorded thousands of songs and received numerous accolades, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor.
5. Mohammed Rafi:
Mohammed Rafi was another legendary playback singer who left an indelible mark on Indian music. With his versatile voice, Rafi sang songs that encompassed various genres, emotions, and languages.
6. Kishore Kumar:
Kishore Kumar was a versatile singer, actor, and composer. He is remembered for his distinct voice, charming personality, and soulful renditions of songs in multiple Indian languages.
7. Asha Bhosle:
Asha Bhosle is a playback singer who has recorded thousands of songs in various Indian languages. She is known for her melodious voice and has won numerous awards, including the Padma Vibhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors.
8. A.R. Rahman:
A.R. Rahman is a prolific composer, music producer, and singer. He has composed music for numerous Indian films and won multiple Grammy and Oscar awards for his work. Rahman's music is known for its fusion of Indian classical, Western, and contemporary styles.
9. Jagjit Singh:
Jagjit Singh was a ghazal singer and composer whose soulful renditions of ghazals, a form of Urdu poetry set to music, made him immensely popular. He is known as the "King of Ghazal."
10. Hariprasad Chaurasia:
Hariprasad Chaurasia is a virtuoso of the bansuri, a bamboo flute. He is recognized as one of the greatest exponents of Hindustani classical music and has performed worldwide, captivating audiences with his melodic interpretations.