Top 7 Indian Classical Musicians Ever Till 2023

As Plato rightly said, “Rhythm and Harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul”

Indian Classical Instruments without a doubt justify the quote above and the magical hands which let these rhythms out are the legends who have not only just carved their names in the golden history of Indian Classical Musicians of all times but definitely popularised it world wide.

Here are Top 7 Indian Classical Musicians Ever Till 2023:


1. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma (Santoor Musicians)

Born on 13th of January 1938, is the legend who needs absolutely no introduction in the world of music as he is no just a music composer but also a very accomplished Santoor player from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, it is none other than ‘Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma’.

He was awarded with the prestigious awards Padma Shri in 1991 and Padma Vibhushan in 2001.

2. Hariprasad Chaurasia (Flute Musicians)

He is famous as an Indian music director and a classical flautist who plays the ‘Bansuri’ in the Hindustani Classical Tradition, Hariprasad Chaurasiawas born on 1st of July 1938, in Allahabad.

He began leaning vocals from his neighbour, ‘Rajaram’ when he was 15. He then switched to ‘Flute’ under ‘Bholanath Prasanna’ for approximately eight long years. After that he joined the All Indian Radio, Cuttack, Odisha in 1957 and worked as a composer as well as a performer.

He was awarded with the noble award Padma Bhushan in 1992 and Padma Vibhushan in 2000.

3. Ustad Zakir Hussain (Tabla)

Ustad Zakir Hussain was born on 9th March 1951 in Mahim, Mumbai although he is now presently settled in San Francisco. He is popularly known as a multitalented legend who is composer, a percussionist, music producer, film actor and Indian tabla virtuoso with the help of which he gained recognition worldwide and is considered to be one of the greatest Indian musician of all times.

4. Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod Musicians)

Sarod Maestro ‘Amjad Ali Khan Bangash’ was born on 9th October, 1945 in a very classical music family. He is well known known for clear and fast ‘ekhara taans’.

He first performed in the US in the year 1963 and continued performing with his own sons through the year 2000 and made modifications to his instruments all over his career. 

5. Bismillah Khan (Shehnai Musicians)

Born on 21st March 1916 Ustad Qamruddin ‘Bismillah’ Khan was an Indian Musician who is credited for popularizing ‘Shehnai’ not only as a mere folk instrument but at the concert and that too at the global level.

On 102nd birthday of Bismillah Khan Google honoured him with a Google Doodle.

6. Pandit Ravi Shankar (Sitar Musicians) 

Pandit Ravi Shankar, an Indian Musician, a composer of Hindustani Classical Music and a Sitar Maestro was born on 7th of April 1920 to a Bengali Brahmin family. He spent his early life touring in India and Europe as a dancer besides his brother ‘Uday Shankar’.

He has been awarded with various art titles and other governmental and also academic honours. He received the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 1967, Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and Bharat Ratna in 1999.

7. Pt. Ram Narayan (Sarangi Musicians)

Pt. Ram Narayan, an Indian Musician, was born on 25th of December 1927. He is credited to popularize the instrument ‘Sarangi’ as a solo concert instrument as well as he also became the first successful Sarangi player at international level.