Top 10 Indian Singers: From Bollywood Icons to Emerging Talent

Indian singers have always been at the heart of Bollywood music, captivating audiences with their powerful voices and diverse musical styles. Each note they sing carries stories of love, celebration, devotion, and passion, transcending boundaries and languages.

Listed below are the top 10 Indian singers showcasing their amazing talents and contributions to the music world, making them household names in India and beyond.

These voices aren’t just performers—they’re legends, weaving the rhythm of India’s heartbeat.

List of Best Indian Singers

1: Arijit Singh

Date of Birth: April 25, 1987, Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India

Best works:

• “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2
• “Chahun Main Ya Naa” from Aashiqui 2
• “Agar Tum Saath Ho” from Tamasha

Accolades:

• National Film Awards
• Filmfare Awards

Arijit Singh’s musical journey began at a young age, with formal training in classical music, tabla, and Rabindra Sangeet. He achieved widespread fame with the song “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2, which became his breakthrough hit. Renowned for his versatile singing style, Singh seamlessly blends classical, pop, and contemporary Bollywood music.

Arijit’s distinct voice, which adds emotional depth, has made him one of the most beloved playback singers of his generation. With a repertoire spanning various genres, Singh’s ability to sing in multiple languages, including Hindi and Bengali, has earned him widespread acclaim among the top Indian singers.

2: Shreya Ghoshal

Date of Birth: 12 March 1984, Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India

Best Works:

• “Bairi Piya” from Devdas
• “Dola Re Dola” from Devdas
• “Deewani Mastani” from Bajirao Mastani

Accolades:

• National Film Awards
• Filmfare Awards
• Filmfare Awards South

Shreya Ghoshal’s singing journey began at a young age which is marked by her versatile and expressive voice. Combining classical training with modern playback techniques, she has carved a unique niche in the music industry.

Shreya was a contestant on the television singing reality show (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa), and she won the show in 1995. Ghoshal gained widespread fame with her work in Devdas (2002), particularly the song “Bairi Piya,” which earned her several prestigious awards.

Known as the “Queen of Dynamics,” Ghoshal can convey deep emotions and expressiveness through her voice. She has sung in multiple languages and explored diverse genres, including classical, Bollywood, and regional music. Her exceptional vocal range, emotional depth, and adaptability have established her as one of the most accomplished Indian singers.

3: Sunidhi Chauhan

Date of Birth: 14 August 1983, New Delhi, India

Best works:

• “Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi” from Mast
• “Mehboob Mere” from Fiza
• “Beedi” from Omkara
• “Sheila Ki Jawani” from Tees Maar Khan

Accolades:

• Filmfare Awards
• Filmfare Award South

Sunidhi Chauhan began her musical journey at a young age, showcasing her talent at local events and competitions. Recognized for her remarkable vocal range and adaptability, she gained prominence with songs spanning various genres, particularly high-energy dance tracks. Sunidhi’s breakthrough came with the song “Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi” from the film Mast, which earned her the prestigious Filmfare RD Burman Award.

Over the years, Sunidhi has delivered numerous iconic Bollywood hits, including chart-topping dance numbers such as “Beedi” and “Sheila Ki Jawani.” Her repertoire extends across multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, reflecting her versatile artistry. Known for her innovative approach to vocal styles, Sunidhi has firmly established herself as one of the dynamic and influential Indian singers. She recently released a song “Aaankh“. For the first time in her four-decade career, she is seen busting a move in a dance video alongside Sanya Malhotra.

4: Neha Kakkar

Date of Birth: 6 June 1988, Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand)

Best works:

• “Second Hand Jawaani” from Cocktail
• “Sunny Sunny” from Yaariyan
• “London Thumakda” from Queen

Accolades:

• PTC Punjabi Music Awards
• Brit Asia TV Music Awards

Neha Kakkar started her musical journey at a very young age, performing at religious events in her hometown. After moving to Delhi and later to Mumbai with her family, her passion for singing led her to participate in Indian Idol in 2005, where she gained initial exposure despite an early elimination. Undeterred, she rose to prominence with her breakthrough track “Second Hand Jawaani” from the film Cocktail.

Neha is known for her energetic and lively singing style, which brought a fresh appeal to Bollywood dance music. Some of her most popular hits include “Sunny Sunny” and “London Thumakda.“

Neha’s distinctive voice is often associated with upbeat party tracks, and her significant presence on digital platforms like YouTube and Spotify has amplified her widespread popularity among the top Indian singers.

5: Armaan Malik

Date of Birth: July 22, 1995, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Best works:

• “Main Hoon Hero Tera” from Hero
• “Sab Tera” from Baaghi
• “Chale Aana” from De De Pyaar De
• “Control” from English single

Accolades:

• Filmfare R.D. Burman Award for New Music Talent
• Mirchi Music Awards
• Global Indian Music Academy Awards

Armaan Malik’s journey to stardom highlights his dedication and exceptional musical talent. He started working when he was just four years old; he gained early recognition by competing in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs in 2006, which marked the beginning of a promising path. His major breakthrough came in 2014 with his playback singing debut in “Tumko Toh Aana Hi Tha” from the movie Jai Ho.

Known for his ability to blend classical Indian music with contemporary styles, Armaan quickly became a favorite in Bollywood, delivering hits like “Main Hoon Hero Tera” and “Sab Tera.” His talent transcends language barriers; in 2020, he ventured into English music with his single “Control,” which won the Best Indian Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

With his soulful and emotive voice, Armaan has demonstrated remarkable versatility, excelling in genres ranging from Bollywood ballads to global pop. This genre-spanning artistry has established him as one of the best Indian singers.

6: Jubin Nautiyal

Date of Birth: June 14, 1989, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Best works:

• “Raataan Lambiyan” from Shershaah
• “Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata (Reprise)” from Bajrangi Bhaijaan
• “Tum Hi Aana” – Marjaavaan
• “Tujhe Kitna Chahein Aur Hum” – Kabir Singh

Accolades:

• IIFA Award
• Mirchi Music Awards
• ITA Awards
• Rising Musical Star Award

Jubin Nautiyal’s journey to success began in Dehradun, where his early passion for music drove him to master multiple instruments and classical techniques. He gained recognition with the song “Ek Mulakat” in 2014, but it was “Raataan Lambiyan” from the film Shershaah that truly catapulted him to stardom.

Celebrated for his soulful voice and emotional depth, Jubin has delivered hits such as “Tujhe Kitna Chahein Aur Hum” from Kabir Singh and “Tum Hi Aana” from Marjaavaan, demonstrating his versatility across a variety of musical genres.

Jubin Nautiyal is known for his smooth, soulful voice and wide-ranging versatility. With his rich tone and precise control, he adds a unique emotional touch to each song, capturing the essence of the lyrics.

7: Palak Muchhal

Date of Birth: March 30, 1992, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

Best works:

• Kaun Tujhe from M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016)
• Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 (2013)

Accolades:

• Stardust Award
• Zee Cine Award

Palak Muchhal began her music career at a young age, performing charity shows to raise funds for children in need of heart surgeries. Her big break came with the song “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2 (2013), which brought her widespread recognition. Her emotional delivery and ability to adapt to various genres have made her a beloved figure in Bollywood.

Known for her soulful and expressive singing style, Palak’s voice is characterized by its purity and depth, allowing her to convey powerful emotions in every performance. She has delivered several hit songs, including “Kaun Tujhe” from M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) and tracks from Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015). Her ability to adapt her voice across various genres—from romantic ballads to lively numbers—has made her a favorite among listeners.

Beyond her musical achievements, Palak’s philanthropic efforts, which have benefited save the lives of hundreds of children, have earned her immense respect both in the music industry and in charitable circles.

8: Mohit Chauhan

Date of Birth: March 11, 1966, Nahan, Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh, India

Best works:

• “Tum Se Hi” from Jab We Met
• “Khoon Chala” from Rang De Basanti
• “Masakali” from Delhi-6

Accolades:

• Filmfare Awards
• Zee Cine Awards

Mohit Chauhan has made marks in the music industry with his distinct voice and style, which beautifully blends soft romantic melodies with profound emotional depth. His voice first gained widespread recognition with the song “Tum Se Hi” from Jab We Met, solidifying his place in the music industry.

Mohit’s singing style is characterized by his soulful, soothing vocals that resonate deeply with listeners, particularly in romantic and dramatic songs. His ability to evoke emotion with each note has made him a beloved voice in Bollywood. While his major contributions have been in Hindi cinema, his versatility extends to singing in other languages, including Gujarati and Himachali, showcasing his wide-ranging talent. Mohit is known for his unique ability to convey simplicity and intensity, solidifying his status as one of the most demanding Indian singers.

9: Sonu Nigam

Date of Birth: July 30, 1973, Faridabad, Haryana, India

Best Works:

• “Accha Sila Diya” from Bewafa Sanam
• “Kal Ho Naa Ho” from Kal Ho Naa Ho
• “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” from Agneepath

Accolades:

• National Award
• Filmfare Awards
• Filmfare Awards South
• IIFA Awards

Sonu Nigam is widely acclaimed for his versatility and technical proficiency as a playback singer. His singing style, heavily influenced by his idol Mohammed Rafi, has earned him the title of “Modern Rafi.” Nigam’s ability to seamlessly transition between various genres—romantic, devotional, ghazals, and rock—has made him one of the most prominent voices in Indian music.

Sonu Nigam’s contributions extend beyond his singing career. He has mentored young talents and embraced multilingual music, recording songs in various languages, including Hindi, Kannada, and others. His mastery of adapting to different musical styles and languages has further solidified his legacy as one of the most dynamic and influential Indian singers.

10: Udit Narayan

Date of Birth: December 1, 1955, Baradah, Saptari, Nepal

Best works:

• “Papa Kehte Hain” from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)
• “Mehndi Hai Rachnewali” from Zubeidaa (2001)
• “Pehla Nasha” from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
• “Tera Bina” from Guru (2007)

Accolades:

• National Film Awards
• Filmfare Awards
• Padma Shri (2009)

Udit Narayan’s singing is characterised by his versatile and melodious voice, which helped him dominate the Bollywood playback scene for decades. His unique style blends classical influences with modern elements, making his songs perfect for a wide range of movie genres. Narayan gained immense popularity with the iconic song “Papa Kehte Hain” from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, which became a defining hit in Bollywood.

Udit’s expansive repertoire includes songs in Hindi, Nepali, and various regional languages, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to his craft. Known for his ability to convey both romance and deep emotion through his singing, Udit Narayan has earned a place as one of the most beloved playback Indian singers.