The Hindustani classical vocalist genre goes back to ancient centuries in history, with its enriched society of famed men and women, who made their way to the top to make history in the upcoming ages. Each have been endowed with rare and exceptional qualities in their own specific way, and their quality of rendition is excellent in every sphere they keep their hand on. The vocal quality, the range, the depth of voice, the capability to possess a free flow are some of the few qualities that can be seen in the maestros. Moreover, the singers are each gifted with diverse qualities in voice, making a concert even more interesting when in jugalbandi. The facts behind every singer`s growing up, their struggle for perfection, they being trained by their gurus, add more to an interesting read of the astounding life that the singers had spent in determination to achieve their goal.

Indian classical music, which can be broadly classified into two distinct categories like the Hindustani classical and Carnatic music, has aided India in showcasing her rich heritage in the form of music. The North Indian Classical Music tradition has been considered as the Hindustani Classical music. The eminent classical vocalists further reshaped the Hindustani classical music, which was once germinated in 12th centuries . India has given birth to a number of renowned classical vocalists like

Tansen
The birth of Tansen is itself regarded a mythical legend. He was born in Behat, in Gwalior. Since boyhood, he was inclined to spiritual singing, and was a known ventriloquist of animal sounds. His unnatural genius was garnished by another legendary vocalist, Swami Haridas. Under him Tansen, gradually grew into a latent musical wonder,and his life thereafter in the court of Emperor Akbar is mythical and legendary, known to everybody.

Ustad Rehmat Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist
Ustad Rehmat Khan was born into the illustrious household of a musical family, the son of Haddu Khan, one of the founding fathers of the Gwalior gharana. Quite naturally, he took music at an early age, and he was an individual with gifted intellect.

Ustad Alladiya Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist
Ustad Alladiya Khan was born into a family of trained and illustrious musicians and was but natural to take an interest in music and singing. He undertook rigorous training under his uncle and father to gradually reach to perfection. He was a boy of unusual astute memory and thus, through training and mere listening he was able to grasp up thousands of bandishes, as also complex taans.

Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Indian Classical Vocalist
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar is known as that remarkable man, who single-handedly took the almost-impossible pains of elevating the waning musical scenario in India, and propagates it into every middle class home.

Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist
Ustad Abdul Karim Khan had led a life that counts under legends in today`s world. None can somehow envisage this person`s vastly diverse life and bouts of happiness and sadness that had come over him while endeavoring to make singing such a popular genre to one and all. Born into a family of hardcore music and everything musical, Abdul Karim was trained in singing since boyhood. His rare intellect and gift of the tonal quality, caught everyone`s attention, and his flowering flourished tremendously.

Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist
Ustad Faiyaz Khan was a born genius. It is now a well-known fact that he had mastered almost all the bandishes sitting on his grandfather`s lap. He was lucky to have been born into a highly musical family and was thus rigorously trained in every form of classical musical form. Their lineage were incidental in forming the Agra gharana, and according to their gayaki-ang, he had learnt all the kinds of classical music, like thumri, dadra, khayal or dhrupad-dhammar.

Pt. Omkarnath Thakur, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. Omkarnarnath Thakur was a man gifted with the rare intellect of a musical genius. However, to everyone`s surprise he was not born into a family of musicians, but into a family of soldierly wonders. He though was always interested in music and singing. But, he was not born fortunate enough, and had to move up the hard way in life to become successful.

Ustad Amir Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist
Ustad Amir Khan was attracted to music and musical instruments since childhood, and was engrossed in practice and making his already-present intellect sharper. His father was a sarangi player by profession, and thus, Amir Khan had the rare privilege to meet and listen to the legends of Hindustani classical music. He was also lucky enough to have stayed student of the illustrious Chhaju Khan and Nazir Khan of the Bhendi Bazaar gharana. Since childhood he was a composed and quite child, that later made a significant impression during his recitals.

Pt. Basavraj Rajguru, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. Basavraj Rajguru was an unusual man to have eternally shunned the limelight and self-publicity in stern terms. Born in a household, where his father was a trained exponent in Carnatic music, Basavraj was thus attracted to classical music from an early age. But, his father`s early passing away, made him search for other options in music. He started to train himself in various gayakis in the several gharanas, and just was not interested to stop in just a mere limitation. He was a passionate amalgamator of these styles and fashions of all the nuances of the gharanas, including the Karnatic musical genre also. And his excelling versions can be witnessed in his assimilating them during his recitals.

Pt. Mallikarjun Mansoor, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. Mallikarjun Mansoor was lucky to have been born into a family of performing arts and musicians. Hence, from childhood he was hooked to theatrical recitals and even sang for the actors. He was avidly attracted to this artistic genre, and even had dropped out of school. But, fate had other plans in store for him. During one such performance, he was noticed by none other than the illustrious Nilakanthbua Alurmath, who advised his brother to train him in music and sensing, and not acting. Mallikarjun was overjoyed by this proposal, and gladly followed him to Maihar, where the next few years were his most phenomenal stage in life, and he was transformed into an erudite singer. The upcoming years saw his rise and more rise in the success ladder, through his excellent performances in various musical styles and fashions.

Kesarbai Kerkar, Indian Classical Vocalist
Kesarbai Kerkar was attracted to musical performances and singing since childhood, and was thus given under the wings of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, and later under Pt. Bhaskarbua Bhakle and Pt. Ramakrishnabua Vaze. However, she could not continue with any of these titanic men. Later, while in Bombay, she had chanced upon to hear a concert of the legendary Ustad Alladiya Khan, under whom she had passed her most substantial years of rigorous training and riyaz.

Hirabai Barodekar, Indian Classical Vocalist
Hirabai Barodekar was born into an exceptionally legendary family of Hindustani singers, who were the trendsetters of the Kirana gharana. She was the daughter of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and the niece of Ustad Abdul Waheed Khan. It is very well understood that she took to singing from a very early age. Her mother, though wanted her to pursue her studies seriously, but, Hirabai was much more attracted in music and arts. She trained under both the stalwarts, and also under his famed brother Sureshbabu Mane.

Gangubai Hangal, Indian Classical Vocalist
Gangubai Hangal was attracted to music since childhood, and always possessed the urge to move forward, though belonging to lower strata of society. During her growing years, she was made a subject of intense ridicule by the upper caste people with whom they shared their neighbourhood. But, due to her mother`s strong-willed nature, Gangubai had the courage to go forward with her lessons in music. However, she was initially more into stage performances. But, her inner musical genius made her to become a disciple, of Sawai Gandharva, the Kirana gharana master.

Pt. Kumar Gandharva, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. Kumar Gandharva was a born genius, being declared prodigy since his early years. He used to enthrall and enamor every listener who chanced upon his singing recitals. Listening to his exceptionally mellowed voice, Ustad Faiyaz Khan had gladly agreed to help the young Kumar pursue his dream. Numerous legends and stalwarts were also enamored by this man`s extraordinary rendition at such a young age. He had yet another quality to perfectly emulate the illustrious singers in classical music, and was showered with praises for it. A man of diverse qualities, Kumar Gandharva tasted fame and success at a young age.

Pt. Chintaman Raghunath Vyas, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. C.R. Vyas can be called the perfect and excellent instance of what a man is capable of, if he has that inner tenaciousness and willpower to make it big in life, despite several difficulties. He was born into a poor family, in an even poorer locality, who were inclined to just the basic amenities of day-to-day life. Since childhood Chintaman had a wish to learn music, but had to curb it down due to his parents` wishes.

However, his uncle was a respectable sitarist, who gave the young man to Govindrao Bhatambrekar of Kirana gharana, who polished Chintaman Vyas into a musical man. Much later, he left for Bombay to earn a living and make their ends meet. While in Bombay, besides working for odd hours, he never lost his sight for singing and studied under his guru, Pt. Rajarambua Paradkar of Gwalior gharana, who took him as his disciple for Chintaman`s gifted and mellifluous voice.

Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki belongs from a family of keertankars, and were hugely associated with temple singing. His father was an established keertan singer, and thus expected his son also to follow in his ancestral path. However, Abhisheki was an exceedingly rebellious young man and wanted to pursue in the line of Hindustani classical singing.

Malini Rajurkar, Indian Classical Vocalist
Malini Rajurkar was born into an archetypal middle class family of the Indian household, where everybody thinks of growing up with studies, getting a secured job, get established in his/her career and finally get married and raise a family. However, she was always interested in singing classical music and to have a career in it in future. She had full support though, of her family. In the mean time, she joined Ajmer College with a musical scholarship, where she met her future guru, the legendary Pt. Govindrao Rajurkar, who trained her in the tricks and nuances of classical music.

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist
Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Khan was born a genius, who demonstrated musical talents since his boyhood. Being born into a family of hard-core musicians, he was never deterred to pursue in music and singing. His father was the legendary Ali Baksh Khan, and his uncle was another illustrious man, Kale Khan. Both of them excelled in classical singing and also in playing instruments. He used to always accompany in every concert of his father`s, just to enjoy the feel of a recital atmosphere. He also had trained religiously and soulfully under his uncle for an extensive period. Gradually with the passing time, his talents and intellects in gifted music and singing grew in leaps and bounds.

Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Indian Classcial Vocalist
Pt. Bhimsen Joshi was born into a family, who laid primary stress in writing and studying. However, he was never too much into books and always was enamoured by the records that were played in the music shops by the roadside. He was very much into Ustad Abdul Karim Khan and used to be beguiled by his every renderings. With clashes and misunderstandings with his family, he was determined to leave home and go about in search of a perfect guru. The next few time period was spent in arduous and toiling search, by roaming about in several places in India. However, his search came to an end after finding Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, under whom he had spent a significant time of his life. However, he was brought back by her father and eventually was given under the tutelage of Sawai Gandharva. He was a zealous disciple of his guru, and had for a long time upheld the tradition of Sawai Gandharva, through concerts and recitals. With his versatility, charm to carry on a concert evening all by himself, and amazing innovations in the gayaki, he was named a maverick singer of the present century.

Pt. Jasraj, Indian Classical Vocalist
Pt. Jasraj was born into a strictly musical family, who always had laid stress on learning music and singing intensely. Since childhood he started training under his famed father and elder brother, everybody of who belonged to the Mewati gharana. Pt. Jasraj always regarded music as a spiritual guidance towards superior expressivity. In his later years, he had also received training under several other gurus, thoroughly established in their line of singing. Panditji was heavily drawn towards Begum Akhtar`s renditions, who made him become attracted towards taking up music as a serious profession.

Kishori Amonkar, Indian Classical Vocalist
Kishori Amonkar was born to her illustrious and legendary mother, Mogubai Kurdikar. Being born to such a famed mother, with an equally cultured father, it is but natural that she would be initiated into music from a very early age. Besides training undrr her mother, Kishori Amonkar was given under the tutelage of Ustad Alladiya Khan. She is a strict student of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. And, she had successfully grasped the style of the gharana, with her striking voice, giving her renditions a unique style of her own.

Pt. Rajan Mishra (1951) & Pt. Sajan Mishra (1956), Indian Classical Vocalists
The Mishra brothers were born into an extremely illustrious family of music, precisely into the Benaras gharana. Their predecessors had been legendary and celebrated singers and instrumentalists, thus, lending the brothers their prestigious bloodline of versatility in every sphere of musical renditions. The brothers were initially trained under Pandit Hanuman Mishra, Pandit Gopal Mishra and Gayanacharya the late Pandit Bade Ram Das Ji Mishra. Their 400-year-old gharana was further enriched by the Mishra brothers with their perfect classical renditions.

Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Indian Classical Vocalist
Veena Sahasrabuddhe was born to musical parents, her father being the late Pandit Shankar Shripad Bodas, who was a disciple of Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. Her brother, late Pundit Kashinath Shankar Bodas, also was highly interested to make her sister learn music perfectly. However, Veena was initiated to classical singing through another classical form of dancing, Kathak. Owing to have been brought up in such an educated and cultured family, who laid stress on learning music and striving to be well-educated, she is also an extremely scholarly lady, who ahs several University degrees to her credit. Veena also has served as a teacher of music in numerous colleges.

Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, Indian Classical Vocalists
The Gundecha brothers were born in Ujjain, to extremely musical parents, and were soon initiated into learning music and singing. They also had obtained post-graduation degrees from University, to further their studies and remain well educated. The brothers are called the third best pair of Dhrupad singers in India, the first two being, the senior Dagar Brothers (Nasir Moinuddin & Nasir Aminuddin) and the junior Dagar Brothers (Nasir Zahiruddin & Nasir Faiyazuddin).

Rashid Khan, Indian Classical Vocalist (b. 1966)
Rashid Khan was born in an exceedingly musical family, that was rich in vocal wonders, for several generations. Ustad Inayat Hussain was his great grandfather. Since a tender age, Rashid Khan was given to rigorous training under his maternal uncle, Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan. He was so determined and resilient as a child that, he used to practice and amplify on one single musical note for one whole day. This tenacity paid off, and he gradually turned into a living legend in singing every kind of classical singing.

Besides these above-mentioned luminaries, the Indian Classical musical genre has also witnessed and is still witnessing the rise and further rise of a bunch of 21st century gifted singers. Almost of all of them are famed both nationally and internationally, fetching numerous awards and honours to make the country even more proud. It can thus be seen that, all is not lost to dust, and compromises have not been made to surrender to westernised pop and rap culture. The ancient enriching history is still being carried on by such young and talented people. To name some of them, would additionally heighten the list of notables. They are: Ustad Ghulam Mustapha Khan, Sulochana Brahaspati, Begum Parveen Sultana, Prabha Atre, Pt. Prabhakar Karekar, Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty, Ulhas Kashalkar, Padma Talwalker, Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, Shruti Sadolikar, Shanti Sharma, Ganapati Bhatt and M. Ventakesh Kumar.