Indian classical music has two major traditions: the Hindustani, which is an expression of classical music in North India, and the Carnatic, which is an expression of classical music in South India. Carnatic music is characterised by short, complex compositions using rhythmic improvisation and talas (time cycles), contrary to Hindustani music, which explores various aspects of a raga through improvisation. Many Indian classical women singers have explored both Hindustani as well as Carnatic music.
Indian classical music includes both Hindustani classical and Carnatic classical music, which are hugely popular around the globe. The foundational elements in Indian classical music are the raga and the tala. Indian classical music is also referred to as one of the best basic ways to connect with God. There are many types of melodies known as Ragas in classical music. Certain Ragas have the meditating effect, thus making it very soothing to the listener. There have been many women singers who lifted the spirit of Indian classical music.
Following are six Indian Classical women singers who made a huge difference in music:
Gangubai Hangal
The popular Hindustani singer, Gangubai Hangal hails from a family who belongs to an inferior caste. by society. Women from that caste couldn’t sing. She began her singing career as a thumri and bhajan singer but progressed to excelling in Khayal. Hangal performed all over the country as well as on AIR (All India Radio) in 1945. In 2006, Hangal gave her last performance, celebrating her 75-year journey in music. She has specialised in Khayal repertoire and performed all through her life.
Lata Mangeshkar
A young Lata Mangeshkar appeared as an actor in plays written by her father at the age of five, gaining the reputation as the ‘Nightingale of India’. Her career spanned eight decades, allowing her to lend her voice to thousands of songs in more than a thousand Hindi films and 36 regional productions. Lata Mangeshkar had a huge impact on Indian film music. Known for her versatile voice quality, Lata sang ghazals, pop, and other styles over the years for actresses like Madhubala and Priyanka Chopra. In addition to her unique talent, Lata has also become an icon of South Asian music.
Kishori Amonkar, One of the Prominent Indian Classical Women Singers
Indian classical vocalist, Kishori Amonkar is one of the leading exponents of the Jaipur Gharana and a famous singer in the Hindustani tradition. She also developed her own style, which has largely influenced other Gharanas. She learnt the nuances of singing from her mother who belonged to the Jaipur Gharana. In addition to extensive studies in Indian classical music, Amonkar’s repertoire was vast and varied. Although her best-known contribution to Hindustani music was her skillful singing of traditional songs, she did perform in other genres, including folk music and theatre. Apart from performing classical thumris, she also sang devotional bhajans and Bollywood music. The highlight of her performances was her youthful vitality and grace.
Kishori Amonkar had an unparalleled voice and she traveled across the world imparting knowledge on Hindustani classical music. Besides being a great singer, she was also a good teacher. Going beyond the same repetitive ways of teaching, Kishori knew how to train an ordinary singer to become a sensational performer. She often would say, “A Guru can guide you but you have to walk your own path.”
Amonkar’s contribution to passing on the tradition of Hindustani music will always be cherished.
Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur, occasional actor, and television personality, who is primarily famous for her work in Indian cinema. Hailing from the prominent Mangeshkar family, she is the sister of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar. Bhosle is famous for her soprano voice and versatility. Her work encompasses film music, pop, ghazals, bhajans, traditional Indian classical music, folk songs, and qawwalis. She has performed in over 20 languages, including Hindi and foreign languages. In 2006, Bhosle stated that she has recorded over twelve thousand songs in her career spanning over eight decades. Moreover, she holds the Guinness World Record for the number of studio singles recorded.
M S Subbulakshmi
The Indian Carnatic singer Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi is from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. She was the first musician ever to be awarded the Ramon Magsaysay award in the year 1974 as well as the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. She was also the First Indian who performed in the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. As a child, she became interested in Carnatic music and studied under Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, and then under Pandit Narayanrao Vyas, who taught her Hindustani music.
Thirteen-year-old Subbulakshmi gave her first performance at the prestigious Madras Music Academy in 1929. As a young girl, Subbulakshmi performed a key role in the performance of bhajans (Hindu hymns). Several critics called her a musical genius; praising her for an enthralling performance every time. Subbulakshmi became a leading vocalist of the Carnatic music genre shortly after her debut.
Subbulakshmi was popularly known as the queen of Carnatic music who traveled overseas to spread Carnatic music. Today new-age singers, having joined Carnatic music classes, don’t forget to pay homage to the legendary singer who once ruled the world of Carnatic music.
Girija Devi, One of the Famous Indian Classical Women Singers
Girija Devi performed classical and light classical music, both in the Seniya and Banaras Gharanas, where thumri was a prominent style. Ramdeo Rai, who was a zamindar in Varanasi, gave birth to Girija Devi on 8 May 1929. At the age of five, Girija Devi began taking voice and sarangi lessons from vocalist and sarangi player Sarju Prasad Misra. Despite opposition from her mother and grandmother because it was traditional that no upper-class woman should perform publicly, Girija Devi made her public debut in 1949 on All India Radio in Allahabad after marrying a businessman in 1946.
In Bihar, Girija Devi gave her first public concert in 1951. She toured often and continued to perform. Her repertoire included the semi-classical genres of ‘kajri’, ‘chaiti’, and ‘holi’, as well as khayal, Indian folk music, and ‘tappa’. She sang in the Banaras Gharana and performed the ‘purabi ang’ thumri tradition. She has played an active role in popularising the thumri style of singing.
