7 Timeless Female Indian Playback Singers who Defined Their Era

By: Priyanka Vyas, Content Writer

Discover the inspiring journeys of famous Indian female playback singers whose voices captivated generations and transformed the Indian music industry.

Long before India became an independent nation, society was shaped by social conservatism, especially for women. Echoing in the spheres of art and entertainment also, female singers had to struggle to gain opportunities and make their mark within and beyond the recording studios.

However, with the arrival of trailblazers such as Shamshad Begum in the 1940s, broke all the preconceived shackles and what followed was a silent revolution for women in the entertainment industry. This paved way for numerous talented women vocalists who started their journey in the playback singing industry.

As social barriers started diminishing, women singers steadily rose to prominence, becoming the defining voices of the Indian music industry.

Over several decades, Indian film music went through dramatic changes. Every decade saw gradual introduction of varied genres, technologies, and musical styles to create an industry that soon became a perfect blend of old and new.

Today, it is nearly impossible to envisage Indian cinema without the melodious voices of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Shreya Ghoshal, and many others of similar stature. What was initially a tale of struggle became one of the greatest success stories in the history of India’s musical culture, with successive generations of women vocalists defining the entertainment industry, cinema and society.

Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine underscores that the story of Indian music cannot be told without uncovering the contributions of female playback singers whose artistry continues to inspire generations transforming the nation's musical landscape.

1950s: Lata Mangeshkar’s Melodious Voice Defined the Golden Era

'50s was considered the Golden Era of Indian movies and playback singing as it portrayed a time marked by exceptional depth and creativity. The era saw the rise of Lata Mangeshkar, fondly referred to as the "Nightingale of India," and one of the greatest and most prominent singers ever born in the country's musical heritage.

Soulful melodies of the ‘50s combined classical India ragas and Western origin orchestras. In addition to the developments, the period also saw rise of lyrical poetry based on shayaris from the Urdu-Hindi tradition.

One of the most sought after female singers of her time, Lata Mangeshkar’s career spanned almost nine decades, she sang numerous songs in over 36 languages, thus creating unprecedented benchmarks for playback singing. Apart from having an unmatched voice, Lata ji became the quintessential voice of Indian cinema with pitch-perfect, crystalline vocals setting the gold standard for generations to come.

First Big Break

Her big break came in 1948 when famous music director Ghulam Haider acknowledged her exceptional talent with the song ‘Dil Mera Toda’ from the movie Majboor.

Greatest Hits

Lata ji’s illustrious musical journey marked working with eminent composers in the country such as Naushad, C. Ramchandra, Madan Mohan, S.D. Burman, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and A.R. Rahman. She also gave unforgettable classics like AayegaAanewala (Mahal), Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Mughal-e-Azam), Lag Jaa Gale (Woh Kaun Thi?), Tere Bina Zindagi Se (Aandhi), and Jiya Jale (Dil Se).

Awards and Recognition

Bestowed with the country’s most prestigious awards, she received the Bharat Ratna in 2001. She also won the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for her incredible contribution to the Indian film industry in 1989. Some other notable awards included the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, National Film Awards, Filmfare Awards, including the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994.

1960s: Asha Bhosle’s Youthful Voice Defined Multilingual Folk & Melodic Romance of the Era

1960s was largely characterized by lush orchestrations, poetry-inspired lyrics, and sweeping romantic ballads. Melodies of romantic nature thrived during as regional musical traditions of various parts of India occupied a prominent space within popular music.

Asha Bhosle was one of the most prominent singers of 1960s. She is considered as one of the most versatile and revered playback singers in the history of Indian music. With a career that extended for more than seven decades, Asha ji created an unmatched record in the field of playback singing by recording more than 11,000 songs in more than 20 different languages. With such a vast repertoire of songs from multiple genres such as ghazals, classical music, cabaret music, pop music, and film music.

Big Break

Asha ji’s big break came in 1957 when she became an actress in B.R. Chopra's hugely popular film 'Naya Daur'. Asha’s role in Naya Daur was a breakthrough point in her career because after that film she started working with many other popular music directors.

Greatest Hits

Asha ji was credited for singing the great cabaret and pop songs which includes Piya Tu Ab ToAaja (Caravan), Dum Maaro Dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), and O Haseena Zulfonwali (Teesri Manzil). She also received accolades for singing immortal ghazals like Dil Cheez Kya Hai and In Aankhon Ki Masti Ke (Umrao Jaan).

Awards and Recognition

She is a recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Padma Vibhushan, which is one of the top two civilian awards in India. Guinness Book of World Records has recognized Asha as the artist with the maximum number of recordings ever made in the history of music as per their records. She was also the first Indian artist to receive a nomination for a Grammy Award in the year 1997 for her album 'Legacy'.

1970s: The Rise of Pop & South Indian Cinema Defined by P. Susheela’s Melodious Voice

Touted as the most innovative musical decade of all, 1970s saw the traditional roots of the music culture harmoniously being combined with the new trends of global pop-music world. While the Bhosle sisters remained popular during the 1970s, yet a new voice emerged in Pulapaka Suseela, (P. Susheela).

During the 1970s film composers made revolutionary changes to the genre, adding new elements such as disco, funk, and rock and creating songs. In addition to upbeat songs, the decade was also famous for its ghazals. South India also pioneered in producing remarkable music inspired by Carnatic culture, folklore, and modern arrangements.

P. Susheela, the most renowned playback singer in the Southern Indian film industry was rightfully called the "Nightingale of the South." Her illustrious career spanning nearly six decades, allowed her to display her prowess in music and contributions that have endured for generations. She became one of the most memorable voices in South Indian cinema, known for her lucid diction, sweet voice, and expressive abilities.

First Break

In the year 1950, music director Pendyala Nageswara Rao spotted Pulapaka’s talent based on the recommendations he received from the All India Radio station. However, shemade her playback debut in 1952 in the film Kanna Talli (Tamil version: Petra Thai).

Greatest Hits

Some of her hit songs are Paal Polave, Naalai IndhaVeylai Parthu from Uyarndha Manidhan; Chittukkurivikku Enna Kattappadu from Savaale Samali; Brindavanathukku from Lakshmi Kalyanam; and Nenjam Marappathillai.

Awards and Recognition

Pulapaka was awarded as the first woman singer to win the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. She won the award five times in her career in the fields of Tamil and Telugu films. Government of India honored her with the Padma Bhushan in 2008. She also won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South in 2006, apart from receiving many other awards. She was included in the Guinness World Records for the highest number of solo, duet, and chorus-backed studio recordings.

1980s: Usha Uthup’s Powerful Vocals Defined Indi-pop & Classical Revival

The music of the '80s saw the industry catching the wave of disco, used by composers to create music that involved synthesizers, electronic beats, and dance tracks that were a hit throughout India. During this decade, the Indi-pop genre was established, thus becoming an important decade of musical innovation.

Usha Uthup emerged as an iconic singer during the 1980s. Usha ji was known to be an iconic Indian playback and pop singer and mesmerized people with her rich contralto voice along with unique blend of pop and jazz music with Indian tunes. She is fondly referred to as the "Queen of Indian Pop" with a career span of over five decades. Her performance has popularized pop and disco in India. Usha was also credited to incorporate jazz, pop, and even folk music in Bollywood movie soundtracks, while still wearing her ethnic Indian costumes. She has sung and performed in more than sixteen lndian languages.

First Break

Usha started her music career performing in nightclubs and also in local bands such as Trincas in Kolkata. The first hit song by Usha ji in movies was an English song performed for Bombay Talkies.

Greatest Hits

Her major hit song in Bollywood was in the movie Hare Rama Hare Krishna (from Pyaar Dushman), Ramba Ho (Armaan), Koi Yahan Nache Nache (Disco Dancer), One Two Cha ChaCha (Shalimar), and Darling (7 Khoon Maaf) have been some of the favorite songs of many.

Awards and Recognition

She was awarded with The Padma Bhushan and the Padma Shri award by the government of India. She has also won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer in the year 2011 for Darling. Furthermore, the awards include Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Rajiv Gandhi Purashkar for National Integration, and Mahila Shiromani Purashkar.

1990s: Alka Yagnik’s Soothing Vocals Voiced the Era of Romance & Melody

1990’s music was primarily identified by soft and melodious romantic notes, successful film music, and the era of the cassette boom, which popularized Indian music among millions of people. This decade saw a wave of new pop stars along with the emergence of the great music director, A.R. Rahman, who brought an innovative music style to Indian films.

Alka Yagnik’s soft vocals defined the voice of the 1990s. Regarded as the favorite playback singers of Indian film industry, Alka’s soulful voice made songs memorable with her versatile singing style. She has sung nearly 20,000 songs in more than 25 languages, thus becoming one of the greatest voices of Bollywood romance.

First Break

Alka started her career as a soulful bhajan singer for All India Radio. She debuted with the song Thirkat Ang in 1980. She became popular through her performances in Laawaris and Hamari Bahu. However, the 1988 release of the popular song "Ek Do Teen" from Tezaab made her a household name.

Greatest Hits

Some of her top hits are Ek Do Teen (from Tezaab), Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai (Khalnayak), Taal Se Taal Mila (Taal), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), Zara Tasveer Se Tu (Pardes), Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai (Saajan), and Agar Tum Saath Ho (Tamasha).

Awards and Recognition

She is a proud recipient of The Padma Bhushan award. She has won two National Film Awards in the category of Best Female Playback Singer. With seven Filmfare Awards in the category of Best Female Playback Singer out of 36 nominations, she ranks among the most highly decorated personalities in Bollywood’s music industry. Her international fame has been acknowledged by a Guinness World Record as well as the Lata Mangeshkar Award.

2000s: Shreya Ghoshal’s Versatile Voice ushers in the Modern Era & Versatility

The 2000s marked a new era in Indian music, characterized by global influences, advanced production techniques, and greater musical experimentation. Bollywood composers blended Indian melodies with genres such as pop, rock, electronic music, and hip-hop, making many singers as popular household names.

Shreya Ghoshal emerged as the defining voice of the 2000s. Revered as one of the most versatile playback singers of modern Bollywood, Shreya is praised for her immaculate voice, talent, and emotion. She is blessed with impeccable voice, skills, and emotional delivery. A professionally trained singer, Shreya dominated the Bollywood music industry for almost twenty years singing songs in more than 18 languages and various genres making her a household name and one of the most gifted singers Bollywood has produced.

First Break

Her musical journey started in 2000 at the tender age of sixteen, when she was declared the winner at a musical show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Her voice was noticed by filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which led to play the voice of Paro in the blockbuster movie Devdas.

Greatest Hits

Her greatest hits include Bairi Piya and Dola Re Dola from Devdas, Barso Re from Guru, Teri Ore from Singh Is Kinng, Mere Dholna from Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Tujhmein Rab Dikhta Hai from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and Sun Saathiya from ABCD 2.

Honors and Awards

Shreya has received five National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer in different languages, as well as seventeen Filmfare Awards. She is the first Indian singer to be honored as Spotify EQUAL Global Ambassador. The state of Ohio in the United States also designated June 26 as "Shreya Ghoshal Day."

2010s & Beyond: Sunidhi Chauhan’s Modern Voice Defines the Age of Digital Platforms & Playback Pop

The 2010s marked the dawn of digitization as digital platforms completely transformed the Indian music scene. With the advent of affordable mobile data and 4G phones, Indian popular music moved on from the use of physical carriers and radio into the world of digital streaming and the emergence of independent pop artists. Streaming giants such as Gaana and Saavn (JioSaavn) came up, and global players like Spotify and Apple Music entered the Indian market.

Sunidhi Chauhan emerged as a defining voice of the 2010s and beyond. One of India’s most versatile playback singers of India, Sunidhi is known for her exceptional voice and unique performance skills. Having enjoyed a long-lasting and successful career in playback singing, Sunidhihas around 2,000 songs to her credit, becoming an integral part of the new Bollywood musical sound.

First Break

Sunidhi started her career with Meri Awaz Suno, India’s first singing contest, where she received the distinguished trophy named after Lata Mangeshkar. Her Bollywood playback debut was with the song LadkiDeewani Dekho, Shastra (1996).

Greatest Hits

Her most successful hits include Dhoom Machale from Dhoom, Beedi Jalaile from Omkara, Sheila Ki Jawani from Tees Maar Khan, Kamli from Dhoom 3, Dance Pe Chance from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, and Desi Girl from Dostana.

Awards and Recognitions

She received Filmfare R.D. Burman Award for New Music Talent for Mast. She was also awarded the Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer for Beedi Jalaile and Sheila Ki Jawani. Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2019 as a mark of appreciation for her exceptional contribution to Indian music.

Remembering the Voices that Gave us Our Favorite Bollywood Hits

To wrap it up, from the classic tunes of the Golden Age to the digitally tuned contemporary form, Indian music has managed to redefine itself time and again without losing its strong connection with the culture behind it. As Indian music embraced new sounds, technologies, and influences over the years, exceptional female vocalists remained at the heart of its evolution and global recognition, cementing Indian music as a timeless and unforgettable cultural experience