India's first recorded song was a Hindustani classical thumri in Raag Jogiya, sung by Gauhar Jaan in 1902. Recorded in Calcutta by the Gramophone Company, the song was groundbreaking because it compressed a classical performance into the limited time of a 78 RPM record, famously ending with her announcement, "My name is Gauhar Jaan".
India's first recording sessions included Gauhar Jaan, singing a khayal in Raag Jogiya, recorded by Fred Gaisberg of the Gramophone Company. The sessions began on 8 November 1902.
1. First Hindi Film Song: The first song in a Hindi film was "De De Khuda Ke Naam Pe Pyare" from the movie 'Alam Ara' (1931), which was also the first Indian sound film.
Dhrupad is a genre in Hindustani classical music from the Indian subcontinent. It is the oldest known style of major vocal styles associated with Hindustani classical music (for example in the Haveli Sangeet of Pushtimarg Sampradaya), and is also related to the South Indian Carnatic tradition.
India's first ever recorded song | Raga - Jogia | Gauhar Jaan| 1902 | Saregama Hindustani Classical
Who is the first song?
The “Hurrian Hymn” is the earliest known song to be recorded in writing, dating to around the 13th century BCE. The text of this hymn is concerned with the promotion of fertility. It refers to the making of offerings and libations to the moon goddess, Nikkal.
Right from the advent of Indian cinema in 1931, musicals with song numbers have been a regular feature in Indian cinema. In 1934 Hindi film songs began to be recorded on gramophones and later, played on radio channels, giving rise to a new form of mass entertainment in India which was responsive to popular demand.
The Golden Song of India plant, also known as Dracaena reflexa 'Variegata', is a popular houseplant that is a cultivar of the Dracaena reflexa plant. It is native to Madagascar, Mauritius, and other islands in the Indian Ocean.
According to Spotify Wrapped data, Arijit has topped Spotify India's most-streamed artist list for seven consecutive years from 2019 to 2025, a feat unmatched by any Indian musician.
In fact, Gauhar Jaan's was the first voice to be recorded in India on 78 rpm records, later released by the Gramophone Company. She was born on 26 June 1873 in Azamgarh and died on 17 January 1930 in Mysore.
AR Rahman is the richest male singer in India, with a net worth of Rs 1,728 crore. Known for his music composition, he charges Rs 3 crore per song and has sung hits like "Urvashi Urvashi" and "Kun Faya Kun." Rahman has won numerous awards, including two Oscars and two Grammys.
Melody queen Shreya Ghoshal is the cutest and most beautiful singer. Her melodious voice has mesmerized millions of Indians and she just needs to be in the movies.
Kumar Sanu, the “King of Melody,” is one of the most iconic voices of Indian music. His soulful singing and unmatched versatility have given life to countless timeless songs. With his magical voice, he has touched millions of hearts across generations. A true legend who continues to inspire music lovers everywhere.
Before the 1947 partition, the Indian subcontinent boasted a unified film industry centered in cities like Bombay (now Mumbai), Lahore, and Calcutta (now Kolkata). Many Bollywood legends, including Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, were born in present-day Pakistan.
To mark the 100th birthday of the legendary actor Dilip Kumar on December 11, 2022, Film Heritage Foundation has announced “Dilip Kumar – Hero of Heroes” – a festival of 4 iconic Dilip Kumar films in 27 cities across India on December 10 & 11, 2022.
