Discover the 15 best female Indian singers of all time who have mesmerized audiences with their soulful voices and incredible talent. Bollywood is renowned for its glamour, glitz, and music, but today we’re focusing solely on the music. The Bollywood film industry would be incomplete without its famous songs, and while credit for these songs goes to both male and female singers, today we’re putting extra focus on the amazing female Indian singers. These singers have delivered some of the best songs in Indian music history.
Music has the power to heal, soothe, and uplift us, and those who create beautiful songs with meaningful lyrics and intoxicating music automatically become stars in our eyes. India has a rich cultural heritage and has produced some of the greatest singers, musicians, and lyricists of all time. In this post, we celebrate the best Indian female singers, who have captured our hearts with their magical voices. These singers have mesmerized us with romantic ballads, amazed us with powerful dance numbers, and touched our souls with their melancholic songs.
Our list of the best female singers in India will take you on a journey through the timeless hits of some of Bollywood’s most talented artists. From Lata Mangeshkar to Sunidhi Chauhan to Shreya Ghoshal and more, these female singers have ruled the industry as queens. Who can resist the nostalgic pull of “Lag Ja Gale,” a song that touches the very core of our hearts with its raw emotions? And who doesn’t feel the urge to dance to the beat of “Mere Dholna Sun”? The intricate notes of these songs leave us amazed, and we can’t help but groove to the beats of “Desi Girl.”
So without further ado, we present to you the power of these Bollywood singing divas – the 15 best female Indian singers of all time. We’re sure that after reading this list, you’ll be inspired to revisit their popular hits and discover some new gems along the way.
1) Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar, a legendary Indian playback singer, is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of Indian cinema. Known as the ‘Nightingale of India’, she has sung over 30,000 songs in her illustrious career, spanning over five decades. She has recorded songs in over 36 languages, including foreign languages like Russian, Dutch, Nepali, and Swahili. Her voice has mesmerized generations of music lovers, and her songs continue to be popular even today.
In recognition of her immense contribution to Indian music, Lata Mangeshkar has been honored with numerous awards and accolades. She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 2001, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema, in 1989. In 2007, she was awarded Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, the highest civilian award in France.
Lata Ji’s name is also recorded in the Guinness World Records for holding the position of the artist most recorded in history between 1948 and 1987. Her songs have touched the hearts of millions of people, and some of her most famous songs include Lag Jaa Gale, Jiya Jale, Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, Tere Bina Zindagi Se and Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh. Her voice had a unique quality that transcended boundaries of language, religion, and culture.
Lata Mangeshkar was not only a singer, but also an era. She inspired generations of young singers to pursue a career in music, and her legacy continues to live on through her songs. Her contribution to Indian music is immeasurable, and she will always be remembered as one of the greatest singers of all time. Her passing in 2021 marked the end of an era, and left music lovers all over the world in mourning.
2) Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle, also fondly called Asha Tai, is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and talented singers in the Indian music industry. With a vocal range that spans across various genres, she has recorded songs in multiple languages and styles, including pop, ghazal, classical, bhajan, and qawwali. Asha Tai is also famous for her peppy dance numbers that have become chartbusters. Interestingly, she is the sister of another legendary singer, Lata Mangeshkar, making the Mangeshkar family a true musical powerhouse.
Asha Ji has made her mark in the music world by singing numerous unforgettable songs such as Piya Tu Ab To Aaja, Sajna Hai Mujhe Sajna Ke Liye, Aaiye Meharbaan, In Aankhon Ki Masti, and many more. In 2011, she was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most recorded artist in music history.
Asha Bhosle’s contributions to the Indian music industry have been well recognized, and she has received numerous awards and honors for her achievements. Some of these include 18 Maharashtra State Film Awards, nine Filmfare awards, seven Filmfare awards for Best Female Playback Singer, four BFJA Awards, two National Film Awards, two Grammy nominations, a Lifetime Achievement Award by Filmfare, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, and the Padma Vibhushan by the Government of India.
Asha Ji’s talent and dedication have earned her a place in the Guinness World Records for the most studio recordings – singles. Her voice is known to be of the soprano vocal range. Asha Tai has sung in over 20 Indian languages and some foreign languages too. Her iconic songs include Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, Kara Mohobbat Wala, Dum Maro Dum, and Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar, which continue to be loved by music enthusiasts. Asha Bhosle’s music legacy and contribution to the Indian music industry will forever be remembered and celebrated.
3) Alka Yagnik
Alka Yagnik is one of the most prominent and successful Indian female playback singers of all time. Her soothing voice has left an indelible mark on the 90s era of Bollywood, and she is still considered amongst the top female singers in India. She has given us some of the biggest hits of all time, with her songs being featured in almost every movie during her prime. Her collaboration with Kumar Sanu and Udit Narayan has produced timeless classics like ‘Chura Ke Dil Mera’ and ‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal’.
Alka Yagnik’s music career spans over four decades, during which she has recorded over 20,000 songs in various languages. Her contribution to the music industry has been recognized with numerous awards including two National Film Awards, seven Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer out of thirty-six nominations, two awards from the Bengal Film Journalists’ Association, and more. BBC has featured twenty of her tracks in their list of top 40 Bollywood tracks of all time.
Alka Yagnik has also made a significant impact on the digital front, with her songs holding the top position on YouTube’s music charts and insights of the top global artists’ list. Her songs have held their place in the charts for 283 weeks with over 300 million views! Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, Ang Se Ang Lagana, Gali Mein Aaj Chand Nikla, are some of her famous songs
Alka Yagnik has lent her voice to some of the most iconic songs in the Indian music industry, including Chura Ke Dil Mera, Tip Tip Barsa Paani, Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai, Neend Churayee Meri, Ek Din Aap, and Ae Mere Humsafar, amongst numerous others. Her career started at the age of 6 when she sang for All India Radio (Akashvani) in Calcutta. She is known to sing in 25 languages and has recorded 15 Pakistani songs. She is undoubtedly one of the most recognized and famous Indian female singers ever.
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4) Kavita Krishnamurti
Kavita Krishnamurthy’s beautiful voice has been enchanting audiences for over five decades now. She is widely known for singing some of the most popular, heart-touching songs of all time. One of her most famous songs is Miss Hawa Hawai, a super hit dance number from the movie Mr. India picturised on Sridevi. Some of her other popular songs include ‘Tumse Milkar Na Jaane Kyun’ and ‘Aaj Main Upar’. Kavita has also sung in many South Indian languages and has won several awards for her contributions to the Indian music industry.
Kavita Krishnamurthy started her singing career in 1971 and since then she has recorded over 50,000 songs in more than 45 different languages. Her versatile voice has graced songs in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, English, and more. She is one of the popular female singers in India and has received several accolades for her work. She received the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer Award for four consecutive years and also the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2005. In 2015, she was awarded a Doctorate for her outstanding contributions to Indian music.
Kavita Krishnamurthy is currently married to the renowned violinist L. Subramaniam. Her notable songs include Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast, Kay Sera… Sera, Bin Tere Sanam, Satrangi Re, Neend Churayi Meri, Bole Chudiyan, and many more. Apart from movies, she has also lent her melodious voice to popular TV shows such as Alif Laial, Mahabharat, Ramayan (1986), Shri Krishna, and Ramayan (2008).
Kavita Krishnamurthy’s first break in the music industry was with Lata Mangeshkar for a Bengali film song, a wish that any musician would die for. With a career spanning over five decades, Kavita Krishnamurthy is one of the most famous Indian female singers ever. Her songs are still popular among music lovers and some of her all-time hits include Roop Tera Mastana, Sawan Ka Mahina, Jeete Hai Shaan Se, Mere Do Anmol Ratan, and Neend Churai Meri.
5) Sadhana Sargam
Sadhana Sargam is a renowned Indian playback singer, who has left a lasting impression on the music industry with her enchanting voice. Her contribution to the world of music is immeasurable. She is one of the most popular female singers in India, who has mesmerized the audience with her soulful singing. One of her most popular songs, ‘Pehla Nasha’ is a classic love song that has become an iconic symbol of romance for an entire generation.
Sadhana Sargam has given us some of the most romantic songs of all time. ‘Saat Samundar Paar’ is another superhit song, filmed on Divya Bharti, that is still popular among music lovers. Her rendition of ‘Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye’ is one of the most beautiful and honest expressions of love. Her sweet and soulful voice is a testament to her strong bond with music, and she is undoubtedly one of the best female singers in India during the 90s.
Sadhana Sargam has recorded over 15,000 songs in various languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and Marathi. She has received several awards for her exceptional contribution to the Indian music industry, including four Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer. In addition to her Filmfare awards, she has won several other accolades, such as the National Film Award, Tamil Nadu State Film Award, and the Lata Mangeshkar Award.
Sadhana Sargam’s musical journey began at the age of four, and since then, she has never looked back. She has collaborated with many renowned composers, such as A. R. Rahman, Ilaiyaraaja, and Anu Malik, to name a few. Her soulful voice has given us some of the most memorable songs in Indian cinema. Some of her other popular tracks include ‘Jiya Jale,’ ‘Aao Na,’ ‘Mere Khwabon Mein,’ ‘Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya,’ and ‘Tujhe Dekha To.’ Without a doubt, Sadhana Sargam has earned her place among the most famous Indian female singers ever.
6) Anuradha Paudwal
Anuradha Paudwal has been an iconic figure in the Indian music industry for decades, leaving an indelible mark with her sweet and soulful voice. She has lent her voice to some of the most popular songs in Bollywood, including Dhak Dhak Karne Laga, Kamariya Lachke Re, Pyar Kiya To Nibhana, Nazar Ke Saamne, Too Mera Hero Hai, Maiyya Yashoda, Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi Mein Aana, and many more. However, her contributions to Indian music do not end there. She is also famously known for being one of the notable Bhajan singers in India, making her one of the best female singers in the country.
Anuradha’s immense talent and dedication to music have been recognized by numerous awards, including the National Film Award, four Filmfares, two Odisha State Film Awards, and Padma Shri from the Government of India, among others. Her success in the industry can be attributed to her unique voice, impeccable timing, and versatility in singing different genres of music.
Apart from her contribution to Bollywood, Anuradha is a prominent Bhajan singer, having recorded more than 9000 songs and 1500 bhajans in various languages. Her devotion to music and spirituality is reflected in her soul-stirring renditions of bhajans, which have touched the hearts of millions of listeners.
In recognition of her contribution to Indian music, Anuradha was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2017. Some of her other notable songs that music lovers must have listened to include Chaha Hai Tujhko, Kore Kore Sapne Mere, Maiyya Yashoda, and Tu Meri Zindagi Hai. With her unique voice and dedication to music, Anuradha Paudwal has cemented her place in the hearts of music lovers across India and the world.
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7) Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal is a well-known Indian female singer who comes from a musical family and began singing at a very young age. She gained recognition after participating in the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa as a teenager and then auditioning for Indian Idol at the age of 16, where she was a finalist. Her talents were quickly recognized by the industry, and she made her debut as a playback singer in the 2002 movie Devdas.
Shreya’s debut was a resounding success, and she went on to win the National Film Award, the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, and the RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. Since then, she has become one of the most well-established and highest-paid female singers in Bollywood, lending her melodious voice to songs in various languages.
Apart from singing, Shreya has also been a judge on various singing reality shows. Her other popular songs include ‘Piyu Bole’, ‘Dola Re Dola’, and ‘Chikni Chameli’. She has won numerous awards for her work, including multiple Filmfare Awards, the National Film Award, and the prestigious Padma Shri from the Government of India in 2021. Shreya Ghoshal is considered one of the most famous and successful Indian female singers of all time.
8) Sunidhi Chauhan
Sunidhi Chauhan is a versatile and talented Indian female singer who started her musical journey at the age of 13 when she recorded her first debut song for the film Shastra in 1996. The same year, she won the reality show Meri Awaz Suno and caught the attention of the industry. Her breakthrough came in 1999 with the song Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi from the movie Mast, which propelled her to popularity.
Sunidhi has a powerful voice and has won numerous awards, including three Filmfare awards, for her contributions to the Bollywood industry. In addition, she has also been featured four times in Forbes Celebrity 100 of India. She has proved her versatility as a singer, winning the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent, and has been nominated several times for Best Female Playback Singer.
Apart from her successful music career, Sunidhi has also ventured into the world of reality shows as a judge, further cementing her position as a leading artist in the industry. Some of her most famous songs include Desi Girl, Crazy Kiya Re, Dhoom Machale, Bhaage Re Mann, Mehboob Mere, The Disco Song, and Sheila Ki Jawaani, to name a few. In 2010, she made her international debut with a new version of the song Heartbeat by Enrique Iglesias. Sunidhi is one of the best female singers in Bollywood and her contributions to the music industry have been exceptional.
9) Neeti Mohan
Neeti Mohan is a popular Indian singer who first gained recognition after winning the Channel V show, Popstars. Her breakthrough moment came with the song Ishq Wala Love from the Dharma banner, Student of the Year. Born in Delhi, she is the eldest sister to renowned dancers Shakti and Mukti Mohan, as well as Kriti Mohan.
Neeti’s talent has been widely acknowledged in the industry. She won the RD Burman Award for New Music Talent and was nominated for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer for her song Jiya Re from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. She received her second Filmfare nomination for the song Sau Aasmaan from Baar Baar Dekho.
Neeti has voiced several popular songs including Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari, Saadi Galli Aaja, Tune Maari Entriyaan, Bawra Mann and many others. She has also appeared as a coach in The Voice India Kids Season 1 and The Voice India Season 2.
Neeti has been working in the music industry since 2003, and her genres include pop, film, and classical. Her song Nazar Laye, Tu Hi Tu, Sapna Jahan, and Naino Wale Ne are some of her must-listen recommendations. With her powerful voice and versatile singing style, Neeti Mohan has carved a niche for herself in the Indian music industry.
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10) Monali Thakur
Monali Thakur, a talented singer, comes from a musical family where her father was a singer and actor in the Bengali film industry and her sister, Mehuli Thakur, is a playback singer in Bengal. Monali started performing at a young age but gained popularity after her appearance in the reality show Indian Idol 2.
Her soulful voice and talent have won her many awards, including the National Film Award for her song Moh Moh Ke Dhaage from the movie Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Additionally, her song Sawaar Loon from the movie Lootera won her the Filmfare Award. She has also given some other popular hits like Cham Cham from Baaghi, Badri Ki Dulhaniya title track, Zara Zara Touch Me, Khwab Dekhe and Khudaya Khair.
Her songs have a unique charm that captures the essence of Bengal and makes the listeners feel the magic of the place, even if they have never been there. Monali Thakur is undoubtedly one of the best singers of her generation, and her songs are a treat to the ears.
11) Kanika Kapoor
Kanika Kapoor has been recognized for her singing talent and has received many awards, including a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, two International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, and a Global Indian Music Academy Award. Her versatile voice and unique style have made her one of the most sought-after female playback singers in Bollywood.
Kanika Kapoor is a popular Indian playback singer who has made a name for herself in the Bollywood music industry with her melodious voice and versatile singing skills. She was born on March 23, 1978, in Lucknow, India. Kapoor started her career as a model and later moved to London, where she pursued her passion for music. In 2012, she moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in playback singing. Her breakthrough came with the song “Baby Doll” from the movie Ragini MMS 2, which was a chartbuster hit and made her an overnight sensation.
This talented artist is regarded as one of the leading female singers in the Indian music industry. She began her journey in 2012 when she relocated to Mumbai to pursue her dream of becoming a playback singer. Her first commercial success was with her music video “Jugni Ji”, which garnered attention and helped her gain some recognition in the industry. However, it was her first Bollywood song that catapulted her to fame and made her a household name – the popular track “Baby Doll” from the film Ragini MMS 2 featuring Sunny Leone.
Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after female singers in Bollywood and has lent her voice to several hit songs. Some of her most popular tracks include “Lovely”, “Kamlee”, “Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan”, “Beat Pe Booty”, and “Da Da Dasse” among others. Her exceptional singing talent has won her numerous accolades, including a Filmfare award, two IIFA awards, and a Global Indian Music Academy Award among others. She continues to enthrall audiences with her melodious voice and is considered a leading voice in the Indian music industry.
12) Neha Kakkar
Neha Kakkar is a well-known Indian playback singer, known for her peppy and energetic voice. She was born on June 6, 1988, in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India. Neha started singing at a young age and participated in various reality shows like Indian Idol Season 2, where she was noticed for her talent and received recognition.
Her big break came in 2012 when she sang the hit song “Second Hand Jawaani” from the movie Cocktail, which was a commercial success. Following this, she lent her voice to several other hit songs like “London Thumakda” from the movie Queen, “Dhating Naach” from the movie Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, “Sunny Sunny” from Yaariyan and “Manali Trance” from The Shaukeens.
Neha’s versatility in singing has made her one of the most sought-after singers in the Indian music industry. Apart from Hindi film songs, she has also sung in various regional languages like Punjabi, Bengali, and Marathi. She has collaborated with many other popular artists like Yo Yo Honey Singh, Badshah, and Tony Kakkar.
Neha has also appeared in various music videos and has judged popular singing reality shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs and Indian Idol. In 2019, she became the most viewed female artist on YouTube with over 4.2 billion views. In 2021, she became the first Indian singer to receive the YouTube Diamond Award for surpassing 10 million subscribers on her YouTube channel.
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13) Palak Muchhal
Palak Muchhal is one of the most popular female singers in India, known for her melodious voice and her charitable work. Despite her young age, she has made a name for herself in the Bollywood industry and has become a household name. Apart from her successful singing career, she is also known for her philanthropic work, especially for raising funds for children suffering from heart diseases.
Palak gained popularity in 2013 with the song “Meri Aashiqui” from the movie Aashiqui 2. Since then, she has lent her voice to numerous chart-topping Bollywood songs, including “Chahun Main Ya Na” from Aashiqui 2, “Dhokha Dhadi” from R… Rajkumar, “Jumme Ki Raat” from Kick, “Teri Meri Kahaani” from Gabbar is Back, and “Kaun Tujhe” from M. S. Dhoni: An Untold Story, among others.
In addition to her successful singing career, Palak is also actively involved in social work. She has founded the Palak Muchhal Heart Foundation, which aims to provide medical assistance to children suffering from heart diseases who come from financially weaker sections of society. She has also performed at many charity shows to raise funds for her foundation and other similar causes.
Palak Muchhal is an inspiration to many young people in India, not only for her singing talent but also for her philanthropic work. Her dedication and passion for music and social work make her one of the most respected and admired personalities in the Indian entertainment industry.
14) Tulsi Kumar
Tulsi Kumar is a prominent singer of the new generation who has gained immense popularity in the Indian music industry. Her melodious voice and soulful renditions have touched the hearts of millions of music lovers. She caught the attention of the audience with her enchanting song “Tum Jo Aaye” from the movie “Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai”.
Born to the founder of T-Series, Gulshan Kumar, Tulsi Kumar was destined to be a part of the music industry. She established herself as a versatile singer and went on to sing for several popular movies. Her songs from the movie “Aashiqui 2” garnered her more recognition and love from the audience.
Apart from these, Tulsi Kumar has sung some of the most popular and heart-touching songs in recent times, such as “Salamat” from “Sarbjit”, “Soch Na Sake” from “Airlift”, “Hum Mar Jayenge” from “Aashiqui 2”, and many more. With her unique style and soulful voice, Tulsi Kumar has carved a niche for herself in the Indian music industry.
15) Asees Kaur
Asees Kaur is a notable Indian female singer who gained recognition through her participation in reality shows such as Indian Idol and Awaz Punjab Di. Her soulful voice has made her one of the most sought-after playback singers in Bollywood.
Starting her journey at the tender age of 5, Asees has come a long way in the music industry. Her big break came with the song Dildara Reprise, and since then she has been on a roll, giving hits after hits. She has lent her voice to some of the most popular Bollywood songs, including Makhna, Jaan ‘Nisaar, Ve Maahi, Bolna, Jaan Ban Gaye, Chogada, Nain Te Haare, Raataan Lambiyan, and many more.
Asees has been recognized for her contribution to the Indian music industry, winning several awards such as two Filmfare awards, one IIFA award, and many more. Her ability to convey emotions through her voice has made her one of the most respected singers in the industry. If you are a fan of soulful and melodious music, then Asees Kaur is definitely an artist you cannot afford to miss.