After years and years of watching actresses be nothing more than supportive leads to the actors in Indian cinema, I’m happy to say that this practice is finally coming to an end. No doubt that Indian cinema took its own sweet time to realise the potential actresses have and everything they can offer to the story, but now that they’ve realised it, they’re not shying away from sketching distinctive, bold, and real women characters. We have more and more women-centric movies coming up that are doing wonders at the box office. I agree that we’re still not where we need to be, but we’re definitely on the path of empowering female actors and I’m so here for it. While this is true, there is one more change that I am seeing and I couldn’t have been happier! I’m talking about the distinctive tones and voices that the recent playback female singers bring to the table.
Gone are the days where a woman’s voice had to be sweet and soft for her to be a playback singer. I mean, the playback female singers we have today have such unique, bold tones that their voices not only sound melodious but also very real.
And having female singers with such tones and voices is extremely important – now more than ever. That is because the more female characters evolve in Indian cinema, the more there is a need for diverse vocal tones that not only compliment the actors but also add more depth to the characters.
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So, who are these female singers that I’m talking about? Well, read below to find out some of the most talented female singers with unique voices that have made a special place in the hearts of audiences (including me, of course):
1. Jonita Gandhi
To start off with, Jonita Gandhi is one of the most versatile singers on the list. She has a smooth, velvety voice that brings a very different type of feminity to the songs she sings. The singer who has a training in Western classical music and who is currently training in Hindustani classical music, has a range that helps her do justice to the character she singing playback for. I mean, she is the same singer who sang ‘Gilehriyaan’ from Dangal and ‘The Break Up’ song from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
2. Neeti Mohan
Neeti Mohan is one of female singers who has a high-pitched, raw vocal texture. And that mixed with years of practice makes her voice stand out from the rest. In fact, she is so much in control of her vocal tones that it allows her to sing songs like ‘Jiya Re’ from Jab Tak Hai Jaan and ‘Tune Maari Entryiaan’ from Gunday to ‘Ishq Wala Love’ from Student Of The Year and ‘Meri Jaan’ from Gangubai Kathiawadi.
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3. Palak Muchhal
Compared to others on the list, Palak Muchhal has a very sweet voice. But what separates her voice from other sweet voices we’ve heard – like Shreya Goshal – is that her voice has a husky undertone and is a tad bit shriller. And that is why she can do justice to songs like ‘Chahun Main Yaa Naa’ from Ashiqui 2, ‘Kaun Tujhe’ from MS Dhoni, ‘Hua Hain Aaj Pehli Baar’ from Sanam Re, etc.
4. Shalmali Kholgade
Shalmali Kholgade has a very textured tone that helps her play with her range a lot. Also, the fact that her voice is bold helps her sing songs that are tone and texture heavy with a lot of ease. In fact, her songs are a proof of that – ‘Pareshaan’ from Ishaqzaade, ‘Daaru Desi’ from Cocktail, ‘Baby Ko Base Pasand Hai’ from Sultan, ‘Lat Lag Gayee’ from Race 2, and many more.
5. Monali Thakur
What I personally love about Monali Thakur is her sweet, soft vocal texture. Her melodious, smooth tone has the potential to make you fall in love with it instantly. If you ask me, I’d describe her voice as the typical voice female singers had back in the day – but the only difference here is that she brings a lot more character to her voice. Some of her songs that I can listen to on loop are ‘Moh Moh Ke Dhaage’ from Dum Laga Ke Haisha, ‘Sawaar Loon’ from Lootera, and ‘Cham Cham’ from Baaghi.
6. Neha Bhasin
Neha Bhasin has a unique vocal tone. Her ability to control her range and add styles and techniques to the notes takes the song to a whole different level. She has one of the boldest voices in the music industry. Songs like ‘Kuch Khaas’ from Fashion, ‘Jag Ghoomeya’ from Sultan, ‘Dil Diyan Gallan’ and ‘Swag Se Swagat’ from Tiger Zinda Hai, etc. shows her versatility as a female playback singer.
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7. Aditi Singh Sharma
The most amazing thing about Aditi Singh Sharma is the sensuous zing she has in her voice. Uff, that mixed with the way she modulates her voice and the lilt she incorporates has my whole heart. From dance numbers like ‘Dhoom Machale Dhoom’ from Dhoom 3 and ‘Sooraj Dooba Hain’ from Roy to soft romantic songs like ‘Bekhudi’ from Teraa Surroor and the cover of ‘Raabta’ from Agent Vinod, she can do it all and that too with such amazing finesse.
8. Tulsi Kumar
Tulsi Kumar who usually sings in a higher key and a more closed of throated tone, does constantly experiment with different timbers and voice modulations. More often than not, these experiments often end up becoming some of her biggest hit songs. For instance, her songs like ‘O Saki Saki’ in Batla House, ‘Tera Ban Jaunga’ in Kabir Singh, ‘Masakali 2.0’, ‘Hum Nashe Mein Toh Nahi’ from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, etc. show her range perfectly.
9. Asees Kaur
Asees Kaur is my favourite. She has a very different texture and tone from every single one on the list. It has much more boldness, grit, husky-ness, and deepness. Her voice has the power to feel the emotions that song is trying to convey. Don’t believe me? Just play her songs like ‘Bolna’ from Kapoor & Sons, ‘Tere Bin’ Simmba, ‘Jaan Nisaar’ from Kedarnath, ‘Raataan Lambiyan’ from Shershaah, ‘Dilbar’ from Satyameva Jayate, etc.
10. Jasleen Royal
Last on the list, is my number one. Jasleen Royal has the kind of vocal tone and texture that will instantly put you at ease. Her voice is soft, melodious, calm, and serene. Some of my favourite songs of hers are ‘Ranjha’ from Shershaah, ‘Din Shagna Da’ from Phillauri, ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kaha’ from Baar Baar Dekho, and her cover of ‘Chidiya’ by Vilen.