7 most famous female artists from India across genres | The Times of India (2024)

From Ravi Varma to S.H. Raza, the male artists of the Indian arts genre are famous far and wide. Their works have been displayed globally and their name rings a bell in people’s ears. But, the artists who did not find their name written in gold years ago were the women. Women were always put behind as compared to their male counterparts. If a woman engaged too much in the arts she was labelled as an eccentric who wished to leave her ‘duties’ towards the family.
But, things are now changing and it is upto us to bring forward the names that were hidden before.
So, here we mention some of the most famous female artists from India across genres.

Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of India, is one of the most famous and iconic names in Indian singing. With a career that lasted over 60 years, Lata Mangeshkar was a beautiful voice who gave life to thousands of Bollywood songs. From classical songs to romantic beats, Lata Mangeshkar’s versatility was unparalleled owing to which she received the highest Indian civilian honour - the Bharat Ratna.
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The kathak maestro who is still called the epitome of grace was Sitara Devi. She was and still remains famous for her mastery in Kathak, and her electrifying performances. Sitara Devi used to completely enchant her audience with her beautiful, graceful, and quick footwork and the expressions that her face conveyed. Sitara Devi also effortlessly mixed traditional elements of Kathak with her own improvisations, making the dance form even more interesting for audiences all over the world.
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Bharti Kher is one of the most famous contemporary Indian artists known for her installations, sculptures, and paintings that explore themes of identity, mythology, and gender.
One of her most famous and iconic works is ‘Six Women’ which shows 6 sculptures of women of different weights and body shapes and makes people contemplate the symbolism behind it. Bharti Kher's art has been exhibited globally, and she has become a leading voice in the contemporary art scene.
(Image: bharti_kher_studio_/Instagram)

MS Subbulakshmi remains unbeaten when it comes to Carnatic music. She had a divine voice to say the least and her singing used to enchant her audience through the screens. For the young people who won’t be able to recognise her, MS Subbulakshmi is the voice behind the famous rendition of ‘Venkateswara Suprabhatam’ and ‘Bhaja Govindam’.
MS Subbulakshmi was also the first musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.
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Mahadevi Verma was one of the most respected and looked up to figures when it came to Hindi literature. She was a poet, an essayist, and sketch story writer too. Mahadevi Verma became one of the key figures in the ‘Chhayavaad’ movement of literature and came to be known as ‘Modern Meera’.
One of her most famous compositions was and still is ‘Me neer bhari, dukh ki badli’.

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Anita Desai is famous as one of India's first English-language novelists. Her books talked about the little things of human relationships and the problems and hurdles present in Indian society. Her novels, such as ‘Clear Light of Day’ and ‘The Village by the Sea’, were based on characters who were dealing with cultural transitions and personal dilemmas.
Desai has been shortlisted for Booker Prize thrice and has also received Sahitya Akademi Award.
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