Popular Indian vocalists are exponents in either Hindustani classical or Carnatic classical genre. Let us know about some talented vocalists in India. Classical music in India is divided into two distinct genres – the Hindustani classical and the Carnatic classical. The former has its base in north India, while the later has its origins in the southern states. The Hindustani classical music is believed to have evolved a lot since 12
th century onwards. It is basically a homogenous blend of various musical genres like the Vedic chants, the Persian renditions of the
Musiqi-E-Assil and the indigenous folk music. On the other hand the Carnatic
classical music is a very rigid and purist variant. It comprises of the melodic formula in the form of the Raga, and the rhythmic cycle or the
Taala. We have been blessed with the talents of numerous Indian classical vocalists since years. Some of them are mentioned below:
Pandit Kumar Gandharva
Pandit Kumar Gandharva was believed to be a child prodigy and was born on 8th April, 1924 in a region called Dharwad in Karnataka. He is one of the most famed classical vocalists in India. The most unique feature about his rendition is that he declined to be restricted to any of the specific rules or traditions of a certain Gharana. He was brilliantly creative and innovative with his compositions.
It is a rare condition of talent as the singer was affected with Tuberculosis and had just one lung in a functioning state. His disease affected his voice but he focused more on the words and their pronunciation. He believed that if the words are uttered with the right feel, they can reach as powerful connect with the listener. His audience likewise appreciated and loved his renditions that involved a lot of dramatic gestures and smiles. He also excelled in Bhajans and composed songs in a certain raga in both fast and slow pace, which was unique and liked by his listeners.
Bhimsen Joshi
This legendary Hindustani vocalist was born in 4th February, 1922 in Karnataka. It is said that he left his home in search of a perfect Guru, such was his passion for music at such a tender age. He specialised in the Khayal form of vocal and was lucky to discover a perfect Guru close to his house in the form of Shri Savai Gandharva. His tutelage under him helped him perfect his tone, pitch of his voice and learn numerous ragas; he in fact excelled in the Kirana Gharana.
He became immensely popular within a very short period of time due to the sheer intensity he exhibited in his performances. His first public performance was when he was only 19 years of age. Apart from Khayals, Pandit Bhimsen also perfected in Bhajans. He was a versatile singer who also mastered in Carnatic music and sang the Kannada Dasa Krithis in Dasavani. He was awarded with the platinum disc in 1986, Padmashree in 1972, Sangeet Natak Academy award in 1976 and Padma Bhushan in 1985.
M.S. Subbulakshmi
Her name is synonymous with Carnatic music. She is a flawless singer who brings about a divine atmosphere when she performs. Because of her immense talent, she was awarded with the Bharat Ratna. Born in 16th September, 1916 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, her family was filled with musicians. Her complete name was Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi.
M.S. Subbulakshmi learned Carnatic music under the tutelage of Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Hindustani music under Pandit Narayan Rao Vyas. She had her first stage performance at the tender age of 10, and followed this with an excellent performance in the Madras Music Academy when she was just 17. She had the rare honour of performing in Royal Albert Hall of London, Carnegie Hall in New York, Canada and Moscow. Even people who did not understand the language or the foreigners loved her performances as they felt the divinity in the environment being created through her voice.
Balamurali Krishna
He is a legendary Carnatic vocalist who is also a poet, composer and instrumentalist. He was born in 6th October, 1930 in Sankaraguptam in Andhra Pradesh. He appeared in his first musical concert when he was five years old. He is a singer who is perfectionist in all the three octaves. He was considered as a child prodigy who could learn and master every tune and song to perfection. He also happens to be the only vocalist who won national awards for classical music, music composition and playback singing in films. He has immense contribution in the world of Carnatic music. He composed Raganga Ravali on the 72 basic scales of the Carnatic music known as Melakarta, when he was just 14 years old. He is currently working on music therapy.
Girija Devi
She is an eminent classical vocalist born on 8th May, 1929 in Uttar Pradesh. She excels in rendition of Khayal, Dadra, Thumri, Kajari and Chaiti. She represents the Benaras Gharana and is called the queen of Thumri. She has also composed a number of highly acclaimed Bandishes and Thumris.
Apart from the above mentioned there are many other popular and talented vocalists in India. The most prominent and oldest amongst them is probably Tansen, who was one of the nine gems in Emperor Akbar’s court. He was born in Gwalior and learnt music under Shri Haridas Swamy. It is believed that he could induce the rains by his rendition of
Raag Megh Mallhar. He composed numerous ragas like
Bhairav, Rageshwari and
Sarang. Almost all
Gharanas try to trace their origin to Tansen as he is the oldest musical legend in India.
What are the different genres of Indian vocal music? Who are popular Indian classical vocalists? Which Indian vocalist has the distinction of performing in Royal Albert Hall of London? Discuss here. 
