Famous Indian Composers

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 1 
A. R. Rahman
(One of the Most Famous Indian Film Composers)
A. R. Rahman
11
Birthdate: January 6, 1967
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

A. R. Rahman is an Indian film composer, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Rahman is one of the most decorated and celebrated musicians in Indian history. He was won several prestigious awards including two Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award. In 2009, he was named among the 100 most influential people in Time.

 2 
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
(One of the Greatest Indian Playback Singers of All Time)
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
6
Birthdate: June 4, 1946
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died: September 25, 2020

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam was an Indian playback singer, music director, actor, television presenter, film producer, and voice-over artist. Widely regarded as one of the most gifted singers of his generation, Balasubrahmanyam received six National Film Awards in an illustrious singing career that spanned more than five decades. He was posthumously honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.

 3 
Anirudh Ravichander
(Composer)
Anirudh Ravichander
4
Birthdate: October 16, 1990
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chennai

Anirudh Ravichander is an Indian singer and film composer. He achieved international recognition in 2012 when his debut track Why This Kolaveri Di went viral on the internet. Since then, Anirudh has been an important composer in the Tamil film industry. Over the years, he has received several prestigious awards like Edison Awards, Vijay Awards, and Mirchi Music Awards South.

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 4 
Ilaiyaraaja
(Singer, Composer, Musician, Screenwriter)
Ilaiyaraaja
6
Birthdate: June 3, 1943
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Born into a Tamil musical family, legendary composer, conductor, and lyricist Ilaiyaraaja became the first Asian to compose for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He has composed for more than 1000 feature films and has five National Film Awards, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan to his credit.

 5 
G. V. Prakash Kumar
(Composer)
G. V. Prakash Kumar
4
Birthdate: June 13, 1987
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Chennai

G. V. Prakash Kumar is an Indian film composer, singer, producer, and actor. After starting his career as a music composer in Tamil films, Prakash Kumar went on to establish himself as an actor. One of the most acclaimed music composers in the Tamil film industry, Prakash Kumar has received several prestigious awards like Filmfare Awards South and MTV Awards.

 6 
Sonu Nigam
(Actor, Singer, Composer)
Sonu Nigam
5
Birthdate: July 30, 1973
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Faridabad

Sonu Nigam is an Indian singer, actor, and music director. Nicknamed The Lord of Chords, Sonu is widely regarded as one of the world's best live performers. He is credited with recording over 4000 songs in several Indian languages. He has also won many prestigious awards, such as Filmfare Awards, National Award, and Indian Television Academy Awards.

 7 
Yo Yo Honey Singh
(Rapper, Actor, Singer, Record producer, Composer)
Yo Yo Honey Singh
9
Birthdate: March 15, 1983
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Jalandhar

Yo Yo Honey Singh is an Indian rapper, music producer, pop singer, composer, actor, and lyricist. He is currently one of the most successful and highest-paid musical artists in the music industry in India. He has received several prestigious awards including an MTV VMAI Award, MTV EMA Award, UK Asian Music Award, BritAsia TV Music Award, and Zee Cine Award.

 8 
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
(Film director, Film producer, Music director, Television producer, Composer, Screenwriter)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
5
Birthdate: February 24, 1963
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Known for epic romantic and historic drama films such as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Bajirao Mastani, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an Indian director recognized for his signature opulent sets and star-studded cast. The five-time National Film Award winner also has a Padma Shri in his kitty.

 9 
Rahul Dev Burman
Rahul Dev Burman
4
Birthdate: June 27, 1939
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kolkata
Died: January 4, 1994

Rahul Dev Burman was an Indian music director. He is regarded as one of the greatest music composers in the history of Indian music. He is credited with composing songs that helped define the career of singers like Kishore Kumar. His works have inspired a generation of Indian music directors. 

 10 
Kanika Kapoor
(Indian Singer and Composer)
Kanika Kapoor
3
Birthdate: August 21, 1978
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Kanika Kapoor is an Indian singer who achieved popularity after the release of her song Baby Doll from the movie Ragini MMS 2. She then went on to record some of the most popular Hindi songs like Lovely. Over the years, she has won many prestigious awards like Brit Asia TV Music Awards, BIG Star Entertainment Award, and Filmfare Award.

 11 
Vijay Antony
(Singer, Composer)
Vijay Antony
4
Birthdate: July 24, 1975
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Nagercoil

Initially a sound engineer, Vijay Antony later rose to become a prominent music director of the Tamil film industry. Known for his music in films such as Vettaikaaran and Kadhalil Vizhunthen, he later stepped into acting with Naan. He won the Golden Lion at Cannes for his track Naaka Mukka.

 12 
Alka Yagnik
(Actor, Singer, Composer)
Alka Yagnik
5
Birthdate: March 20, 1966
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kolkata

Alka Yagnik is an Indian playback singer. One of the most popular female playback singers in Bollywood, Yagnik has won a record seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards in an illustrious career spanning more than 40 years. Alka Yagnik has also won other prestigious awards, such as Bollywood Movie Awards, Global Indian Film Awards, and Zee Cine Awards.

 13 
Bappi Lahiri
(Film director, Composer)
Bappi Lahiri
3
Birthdate: November 27, 1952
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kolkata
Died: February 16, 2022

Bappi Lahiri was an Indian singer and music composer. He popularized the use of synthesized disco music in Indian films. He achieved popularity in the 1980s and 1990s and was best known for his work in dance films like Dance Dance and Disco Dancer. 

 14 
Shankar Mahadevan
(Actor, Singer, Composer)
Shankar Mahadevan
4
Birthdate: March 3, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chembur

Shankar Mahadevan is an Indian film composer and singer. He is one-third of the popular musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy which predominantly composes music for Bollywood films. A well-known playback singer, Mahadevan has won three National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer. In 2019, Shankar Mahadevan was honored with the Padma Shri for his contributions to film music. 

 15 
Badshah
(Rapper)
Badshah
5
Birthdate: November 19, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: New Delhi, India

Badshah is a singer, rapper, businessman, and film producer. Widely regarded as one of the highest-paid artists in India, Badshah is also considered one of the most controversial Indian rappers. His song Genda Phool is considered controversial, but is yet one of the most successful songs in Indian history. He has been featured thrice in Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list.

 16 
M.M. Keeravaani
(Indian Music Composer, Record Producer and Lyricist)
M.M. Keeravaani
3
Birthdate: July 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kovvur, Andhra Pradesh, India

M.M. Keeravaani is an Indian playback singer, film composer, and lyricist. One of the most respected and decorated music directors in the Telugu film industry, Keeravani is the recipient of 11 Nandi Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, and a National Film Award. Over the years, he has composed music for successful and popular movies like Baahubali.

 17 
Yuvan Shankar Raja
(Actor)
Yuvan Shankar Raja
4
Birthdate: August 31, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Chennai, India

Yuvan Shankar Raja is a music composer and singer-songwriter. He is credited with introducing hip-hop to the Tamil music industry and became one of the most sought-after Tamil composers in 2000s. In 2006, he won the Cyprus International Film Festival Award, becoming the first Indian composer to win the award. He has also won other awards like Filmfare Awards South.

 18 
Kumar Sanu
(Singer, Composer)
Kumar Sanu
4
Birthdate: September 23, 1957
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Born Kedarnath Bhattacharaya, Kumar Sanu turned out to be Bollywood’s King of Melody. One of the greatest Indian playback singers, he rocked the 1990s with hits such as Kuch Na Kaho and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen. The Padma Shri winner has had multiple hit duets with co-singer Alka Yagnik.

 19 
Adnan Sami
(First Musician to Have Played the Santoor and Indian Classical Music on the Piano)
Adnan Sami
4
Birthdate: August 15, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England

Adnan Sami is an Indian musician, singer, pianist, and music composer. Best known for his skills as a piano player, Sami was named the world's fastest keyboard player by Keyboard magazine. He is also widely regarded as the first person to have played Indian classical music on the piano. In 2020, he was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri. 

 20 
Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar
(Composer)
Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar
4
Birthdate: November 3, 1937
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mumbai, India
Died: May 25, 1998

Part of the legendary Indian music composer duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal, which ruled the Hindi film music industry for decades, Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar had a tough childhood in the slums of Mumbai. He took up music after his father’s death, so that he could support his family, and never looked back.

 21 
Mika Singh
(Indian Singer, Composer, Music Director and Music Producer)
Mika Singh
3
Birthdate: June 10, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Durgapur, West Bengal, India

Mika Singh is an Indian singer, rapper, and performer. Apart from contributing to the soundtrack of many popular films like Singh Is Kinng and Jab We Met, Singh has released many solo albums as well. He has also performed live at popular venues like The O2 Arena.

 22 
Pritam
(Indian Composer and Playback Singer Known for Blending Indian Classical Music with Western Style)
Pritam
3
Birthdate: June 14, 1971
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Known for blending Indian classical music with contemporary undertones, Indian music director, composer, and record producer, Pritam Chakraborty is also a well-known singer and instrumentalist.  Beginning his career with ad jingles, he later partnered with Jeet Ganguly to compose music for Hindi films before going solo. He has won numerous awards for his work, concurrently helping budding musicians through his organization JAM8.

 23 
Zakir Hussain
(One of the Most Famous Tabla Players in India)
Zakir Hussain
3
Birthdate: March 9, 1951
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Zakir Hussain is an Indian musician, tabla virtuoso, percussionist, composer, and music producer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest tabla players of all time, Hussain has received many prestigious awards in his illustrious career. In 1990, he was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In 2002, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award.

 24 
Raftaar
(Rapper)
Raftaar
3
Birthdate: March 7, 1988
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Thiruvananthapuram

Raftaar is an Indian rapper, TV personality, lyricist, dancer, and music composer. The recipient of a Brit Asia TV Music Award, Raftaar has contributed immensely to the soundtracks of several popular Bollywood films like Bullet Raja, Heropanti, and Dangal. He has also served as a judge on popular TV shows like Roadies, Dance India Dance, and MTV Hustle.

 25 
Anu Malik
(Film director, Singer, Composer, Music director, Film score composer)
Anu Malik
6
Birthdate: November 2, 1960
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Mumbai

Anu Malik is an Indian singer, music composer, and arranger. He is credited with composing some of the most popular Hindi songs, including Chamma Chamma from the film China Gate, which was used in the jukebox musical romantic drama film Moulin Rouge! Anu Malik has also served as a judge on the popular TV show Indian Idol.

 26 
Santhosh Narayanan
(Composer)
Santhosh Narayanan
3
Birthdate: May 15, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Trichy

Santhosh Narayanan is an Indian musician and film composer who works in the Tamil film industry. One of the most successful and celebrated film composers of his generation, Santhosh Narayanan is renowned for his willingness to experiment. Widely regarded as one of the best musicians of the Tamil film industry, Santhosh Narayanan has won many awards for his background score. 

 27 
Amit Trivedi
(Indian Music Director, Singer and Composer)
Amit Trivedi
3
Birthdate: April 8, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Amit Trivedi is an Indian singer, music director, and lyricist. He is best known for his work in the 2009 romantic black comedy film Dev.D, which earned him many prestigious awards like the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. Trivedi has also won several other awards, such as Filmfare Awards, Global Indian Music Academy Awards, and Mirchi Music Awards.

 28 
Falguni Pathak
(Indian Singer and Composer)
Falguni Pathak
3
Birthdate: March 12, 1964
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Known as the Dandiya Queen, Falguni Pathak rocked the 1990s with her chartbusting tracks such as Chudi Jo Khanki Haathon Mein, which still light up Navratri celebrations in India. She is also known for her signature androgynous looks. Though she’s based in Mumbai, her songs reflect the Gujarati folk culture.

 29 
Kailash Kher
(Singer, Composer)
Kailash Kher
3
Birthdate: July 7, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Meerut

Indian singer Kailash Kher is known for his unique style of music inspired by folk and Sufi music. Born to a folk singer in Meerut, he later moved to Mumbai and began his career with jingles. The two-time Filmfare Award winner now also has a Padma Shri in his kitty.

 30 
Harris Jayaraj
(Actor, Composer)
Harris Jayaraj
3
Birthdate: January 8, 1975
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chennai

Harris Jayaraj is an Indian film composer who works predominantly in the Tamil film industry. Dubbed The Melody King, Jayaraj is renowned for composing soothing music. One of the most decorated film composers of his generation, Harris Jayaraj has received several prestigious awards including six Filmfare Awards South, six Mirchi Music Awards, and four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.

 31 
S.D. Burman
S.D. Burman
3
Birthdate: October 1, 1906
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Comilla
Died: October 31, 1975

S.D. Burman was an Indian singer and music director. One of the most influential and successful film music composers in the history of Bollywood, Burman composed the music for more than 100 movies. During his career, he won many prestigious awards like Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Filmfare Awards, and National Film Awards. In 1969, he was awarded the Padma Shri.

 32 
Hariprasad Chaurasia
(Indian Classical Flautist)
Hariprasad Chaurasia
3
Birthdate: July 1, 1938
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Allahabad

Indian flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia, a major figure of Hindustani classical music, is known for taking the Indian bansuri to the international stage. Born in Allahabad, he hid his musical aspirations from his father, who wanted him to take up wrestling. He grew up to became a luminary of the Senia gharana.

 33 
Rajesh Roshan
(Indian Hindi Cinema Music Director and Composer)
Rajesh Roshan
3
Birthdate: May 24, 1955
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Rajesh Roshan is an Indian music director who works in Hindi films. Over the years, he has composed music for many popular Hindi films like Kaabil, Krrish, Koi... Mil Gaya, and Karan Arjun. He has received a couple of Filmfare Awards for Best Music Director for his work in films like Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai and Julie.

 34 
Zubeen Garg
(Indian Singer, Songwriter, Composer, Lyricist, Music Director, Music Producer and Actor)
Zubeen Garg
3
Birthdate: November 18, 1972
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tura, Meghalaya, India

Zubeen Garg is an Indian music director, singer, composer, music producer, lyricist, film director, actor, scriptwriter, film producer, and philanthropist. Also an instrumentalist, Zubeen Garg plays 12 instruments including drums, guitar, mandolin, keyboard, and various percussion instruments. One of the highest-paid singers in Assam, Garg has also received several prestigious awards, such as Prag Cine Awards and a National Film Award.

 35 
Aadesh Shrivastava
(Indian Composer)
Aadesh Shrivastava
3
Birthdate: September 4, 1964
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Katni, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died: September 5, 2015

Aadesh Shrivastava began his career as a drummer and later rose to be one of the most well-known music directors of Indian film music. He had hit scores in movies such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... and Chalte Chalte in his kitty but eventually died of cancer.

 36 
D. Imman
(Singer, Composer)
D. Imman
3
Birthdate: January 24, 1983
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chennai

Immanuel Vasanth Dinakaran, or D. Imman, is a renowned Tamil music composer. Known for his work for the soundtracks of films such as Viswasam and Rummy, he has also won a National Film Award. He had begun his musical career at 15, as an apprentice to composers such as Adithyan.

 37 
Mithoon
(Singer, Composer)
Mithoon
3
Birthdate: January 11, 1985
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mumbai

Mithoon is an Indian music director, singer, and lyricist who works in Bollywood. He is best known for composing the critically acclaimed song Tum Hi Ho, which was featured in the 2013 romantic musical drama film Aashiqui 2. Over the years, Mithoon has received several prestigious awards, such as Filmfare Awards, International Indian Film Academy Awards, and Mirchi Music Awards.

 38 
Sona Mohapatra
(Indian Singer, Music Composer and Lyricist)
Sona Mohapatra
3
Birthdate: June 17, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cuttack, Odisha, India

Sona Mohapatra is an Indian music composer, singer, and lyricist. She is best known for recording remixes of popular songs by famous artists like David Bowie and INXS. Although she is known for her musical career, Sona Mohapatra achieved national recognition when she appeared in a TV show titled Satyamev Jayate, which was hosted by popular Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.

 39 
Karunas
(Actor)
Karunas
3
Birthdate: February 21, 1970
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Peravurani, Tamil Nadu, India

Karunas is an Indian actor and politician active in the Tamil film industry. He began his career as a singer and dancer and specialized in Tamil folk music. He eventually ventured into TV and cinema as well. After establishing himself as a successful actor, he joined politics and became the leader of the political outfit Mukkulathor Pulipadai. 

 40 
Sukanya
(Actress)
Sukanya
3
Birthdate: July 8, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Apart from being a talented Bharatnatyam dancer, Sukanya has also made her mark as an actor in South Indian films. She won a Filmfare for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Innathe Chintha Vishayam. She has also appeared in series and has released two devotional albums.

 41 
Sukhwinder Singh
(Indian Playback Singer)
Sukhwinder Singh
3
Birthdate: July 18, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Amritsar, Punjab, India

Internationally acclaimed playback singer, Sukhwinder Singh first came to limelight with Chaiyya Chaiyya, a duet from the Shahrukh Khan starrer Dil Se. Since then he has been working with numerous renowned composers, earning international fame with the song Jai Ho from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. He has also given voice to many Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi songs and has released two studio albums.

 42 
M. S. Viswanathan
(Actor, Composer)
M. S. Viswanathan
3
Birthdate: June 24, 1928
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Elappully (gram panchayat)
Died: July 14, 2015

Known as Mellisai Mannar, or The King of Light Music, Tamil composer M. S. Viswanathan had a troubled childhood, selling food at movie theaters and learning music to sustain himself and his family. Of the many awards he had won is the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South.

 43 
Kavita Krishnamurthy
(Actor, Singer, Composer)
Kavita Krishnamurthy
3
Birthdate: January 25, 1958
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Delhi

Kavita Krishnamurthy is an Indian playback and classical singer with an extensive career spanning half a century. She began her formal training in Hindustani classical music as a child and began her career as a teenager. She has since recorded more than 50,000 songs in over 36 languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Kannada. She received the Padmashri in 2005. 

 44 
Mani Sharma
(Indian Composer, Singer, Multi-Instrumentalist and Music Producer)
Mani Sharma
3
Birthdate: July 11, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Nicknamed Swara Brahma, Telugu composer Mani Sharma is known for his collaborations with stars such as Chiranjeevi and Mahesh Babu. He was initially a freelance music programmer and has also experimented by blending Carnatic and modern music. He has two Nandi Awards and three Filmfare Awards South to his credit.

 45 
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
3
Birthdate: January 13, 1938
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Jammu, India
Died: May 10, 2022
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 46 
Deenanath Mangeshkar
(Actor, Composer)
Deenanath Mangeshkar
3
Birthdate: December 29, 1900
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Mangeshi village
Died: April 24, 1942
 47 
Manna Dey
(Indian Playback Singer and Musician)
Manna Dey
3
Birthdate: May 1, 1919
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kolkata, India
Died: October 24, 2013

Manna Dey was a classical Indian vocalist, playback singer, musician, and music director. He is regarded as one of the most celebrated vocalists of the Hindi film industry. In a rich and extensive career spanning seven decades, he recorded more than 4,000 songs. He was honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhusan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. 

 48 
Jeet Gannguli
(Indian Film Music Composer Best Known for His Works in Movies: 'Aashiqui 2', 'Singham Returns' and 'City Lights')
Jeet Gannguli
3
Birthdate: May 24, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bombay, Maharashtra, India

Jeet Gannguli is a score composer and music director active in Hindi film industry. He is trained in Indian classical music and is also well-versed in western classical music, jazz, and rock. He began his career in the early 2000s and has been scoring music for TV commercials, jingles, TV serials, and Hindi and Bengali films. 

 49 
Vishal Bhardwaj
(Director, Screenwriter)
Vishal Bhardwaj
0
Birthdate: August 4, 1965
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, India
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
 50 
Mano (Singer)
(singer)
Mano (Singer)
3
Birthdate: October 26, 1965
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Sattenapalle

Born to an AIR musician in Andhra Pradesh, Mano grew up to be a renowned singer and voice-over artist. Originally named Nagur Babu, he was renamed Mano by legendary composer Ilayaraja, for whom he recorded over 2,000 songs. He has also won prestigious awards such as the Kalaimaamani Award.