India boasts a vibrant music scene with a plethora of exceptional live singers who have the power to enchant audiences with their mesmerizing performances. These artists are not only celebrated for their remarkable vocal talents but have also amassed a collection of awards in recognition of their significant contributions to the music industry.
Music-making software has become a vital tool in the music industry, allowing users to create various types of music with exceptional production quality. Despite being available for free, these software programs provide accurate instrument sounds and have been adopted by many successful artists and singers. India, a country with a diverse range of musical tastes, boasts around 216 million music fans who use streaming platforms like Gaana, Spotify, YouTube, YouTube Music, and Hungama. As Bob Marley once said, “One good thing about music when it hits you, you feel no pain.” In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 singers in India who have won several awards and hold the record for the greatest number of song playbacks, focusing on singers who emerged after the year 2000, with some exceptions.
- Arijit Singh:
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- “Tum Hi Ho” from the movie “Aashiqui 2”
- “Channa Mereya” from the movie “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”
- “Raabta” from the movie “Agent Vinod”
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Tum Hi Ho”
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer
- IIFA Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for various songs
Estimated Charge Per Song: Arijit Singh’s fees can range from ₹20 lakhs to ₹1 crore per song, depending on the event, venue, and other factors.
2. Shreya Ghoshal:
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- “Sun Saathiya” from the movie “ABCD 2”
- “Teri Meri” from the movie “Bodyguard”
- “Agar Tum Mil Jao” from the movie “Zeher”
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for various songs
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer
- Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Estimated Charge Per Song: Shreya Ghoshal’s performance fees can vary between ₹15 lakhs to ₹75 lakhs per song, depending on the event and her availability.
3. Sonu Nigam:
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- “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin” from the movie “Agneepath”
- “Zoobi Doobi” from the movie “3 Idiots”
- “Kal Ho Naa Ho” from the movie “Kal Ho Naa Ho”
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Kal Ho Naa Ho”
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer
- Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Estimated Charge Per Song: Sonu Nigam’s live performance fees can range from ₹10 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs per song, depending on the event and his schedule.
4. Sunidhi Chauhan:
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- “Kamli” from the movie “Dhoom 3”
- “Ruki Ruki” from the movie “Mast”
- “Aaja Nachle” from the movie “Aaja Nachle”
Awards:
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer
- National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Bhaage Re Mann”
- Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Estimated Charge Per Song: Sunidhi Chauhan’s fees for live performances can range from ₹8 lakhs to ₹40 lakhs per song, depending on the event and her schedule.
5. KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath):
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- “Tadap Tadap” from the movie “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”
- “Pal” from the movie “Monsoon Wedding”
- “Awarapan Banjarapan” from the movie “Jism”
Awards:
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer
- IIFA Awards for Best Male Playback Singer for various songs
Estimated Charge Per Song: KK’s fees for live performances typically range from ₹5 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs per song, depending on various factors.
6. Neha Kakkar:
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- “Mile Ho Tum” (Original non-film single)
- “London Thumakda” from the movie “Queen”
- “Dilbar” from the movie “Satyameva Jayate”
Awards:
- Nominated for various Filmfare and music awards
Estimated Charge Per Song: Neha Kakkar’s performance fees can vary widely, ranging from ₹3 lakhs to ₹20 lakhs per song, depending on the event and her availability.
7. Kailash Kher:
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- “Teri Deewani” from the album “Kailasa”
- “Allah Ke Bande” from the movie “Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II”
- “Bam Lahiri” from the album “Kailasa”
Awards:
- Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Estimated Charge Per Song: Kailash Kher’s live performance fees typically range from ₹5 lakhs to ₹25 lakhs per song, depending on the event and other factors.
8. Harshdeep Kaur:
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- “Katiya Karun” from the movie “Rockstar”
- “Dilbaro” from the movie “Raazi”
- “Zaalima” from the movie “Raees”
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Bari Barsi”
- Nominated for various Filmfare and music awards
Estimated Charge Per Song: Harshdeep Kaur’s fees for live performances can vary between ₹4 lakhs to ₹20 lakhs per song, depending on the event and her availability.
9. Kavita Krishnamurthy:
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- “Nimbooda Nimbooda” from the movie “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”
- “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya” from the movie “Yaraana”
- “Hawa Hawai” from the movie “Mr. India”
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Luka Chuppi”
- Filmfare Awards for Best Female Playback Singer for “Tumse Milke” and “Mera Piya Ghar Aaya”
Estimated Charge Per Song: Kavita Krishnamurthy’s fees for live performances can range from ₹3 lakhs to ₹15 lakhs per song, depending on the event and her availability.
10. Shankar Mahadevan:
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- “Breathless” (Non-film single)
- “Mitwa” from the movie “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna”
- “Ae Ajnabi” from the movie “Dil Se”
Awards:
- National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for “Mitwa”
- Multiple Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer
- Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Estimated Charge Per Song: Shankar Mahadevan’s live performance fees can vary between ₹4 lakhs to ₹20 lakhs per song, depending on the event and his schedule.
These top 10 live singers in India have not only made a mark in the music industry but have also established themselves as sought-after performers for various events, concerts, and special occasions. Their charges per song can vary significantly based on factors such as the event’s scale, location, and their availability. Please note that the mentioned fee ranges are approximate and can change over time
