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Famous instrument players have made significant contributions to music throughout history, showcasing incredible talent and skill. Popular instrument players such as Ustad Bismillah Khan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Dr. L. Subramaniam are just a few examples of legendary players who have shaped the world of music. Reading about these great personalities can help improve general knowledge and appreciation for different instruments and their unique sounds. To help you in this educational endeavour, here is a blog on famous instrument players in India and around the world with awards and more details,
Table of Contents
Famous Instrument Players of India
India has produced many legendary musicians who have mastered various traditional instruments. These famous instrument players have not only received national recognition but also international acclaim for their skills.
| Famous Instrument Players of India | Instrument | Major Awards |
| Ustad Bismillah Khan | Shehnai | Padma Shri (1961) Padma Bhushan (1968) Padma Vibhushan (1980) Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (1994) Bharat Ratna (2001) |
| Pandit Ravi Shankar | Sitar | Bharat Ratna (1999) Grammy Award (1968, 1973, 2002, 2013, and 2014) |
| Ustad Zakir Hussain | Tabla | Grammy Awards (2024 and 2009) Padma Vibhushan (2023) Padma Bhushan (2002) |
| Ustad Amjad Ali Khan | Sarod | Padma Vibhushan (2001) Sangeet Natak Akademic Award (1989) |
| Hariprasad Chaurasia | Bansuri | Padma Vibhushan (2000) Padma Bhushan (1992) Sangeet Natak Akademic Award (1983) |
| Vishwa Mohan Bhatt | Mohan veena (slide guitar) | Padma Shri (2002) Padma Bhushan (2017) Sangeet Natak Akademic Award (1998) |
| Ali Akbar Khan | Sarod | Padma Bhushan (1967) Padma Vibhushan (1989) |
| Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi | Tabla | Padma Shri (1977) Sangeet Natak Akademic Award (1982) |
| Zia Mohiuddin Dagar | Rudra veena | Sangeet Natak Akademic Award (1981) |
5 Most Famous Instrument Players in India
Following are the list of 5 most famous instrumental players in India, known for their exceptional skills and contributions to Indian classical music. These legends have made a lasting impact worldwide.
1. Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 – 2006)
Ustad Bismillah Khan, born on March 21, 1916, in Bihar, was a legendary Indian shehnai expert. Raised in a family of court musicians, he learned under his uncle, Ali Baksh. Khan’s performance at the 1937 All-India Music Conference revolutionised the shehnai, elevating it from a ceremonial instrument to a classical one. His music symbolised religious harmony, performing at both Hindu and Muslim ceremonies. Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, Khan’s legacy continues to inspire, marking him as one of India’s greatest musicians.
| Particulars | Details |
| Original name | Qamruddin Khan |
| Born | March 21, 1916 |
| Died | August 21, 2006 |
2. Zakir Hussain (1951 -2024)
Zakir Hussain, an iconic tabla expert, gained international acclaim for his work across various music genres, especially jazz and world music. His career soared in the 1970s with over 150 performances annually in the U.S. He gained global recognition after collaborating with Mickey Hart on the Grammy-winning album Planet Drum in 1991. Hussain has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Vibhushan (2023) and five Grammy Awards, making him the first Indian to win three Grammys in one night in 2024. His contributions span music composition, education, and global outreach.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | March 9, 1951 |
| Died | December 15, 2024 |
3. Ravi Shankar (1920 – 2012)
Ravi Shankar, born in 1920 in Varanasi, India, was a famous sitar player and composer. He made Indian classical music popular around the world. Shankar studied music under Ustad Allauddin Khan and toured Europe and America, sharing his music. He worked with famous Western musicians like Yehudi Menuhin and George Harrison. Shankar won several Grammy Awards for his music, including one after his death in 2012. He also started music schools in India and the U.S., teaching and inspiring many.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full name | Ravindra Shankar Chowdhury |
| Born | April 7, 1920 |
| Died | December 11, 2012 |
4. Hariprasad Chaurasia (1938)
Hariprasad Chaurasia, born in 1938 in Allahabad, India, is a renowned fluteist in the Hindustani classical music tradition. He popularised the bansuri, a bamboo flute, through his performances and compositions. Although not born into a musical family, Chaurasia trained under several masters, including Bholanath and Annapurna Devi. He worked with All India Radio and also performed in the film industry. Known for his unique flute style, he won many awards, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, for his exceptional contribution to music.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | July 1, 1938 |
5. Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (1929-1990)
Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (1929-1990) was a renowned Indian musician and a master of the Rudra veena, a traditional instrument he designed. He belonged to the esteemed Dagar family, which is known for their expertise in Dhrupad music. Initially, a sitar player, Ustad Zia later became famous for his deep, soulful renditions on the Rudra veena. His contributions to Indian classical music, including performances and recordings, brought global recognition to Dhrupad, influencing many musicians worldwide.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 1929 |
| Died | 1990 |
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Famous Instrument Players in the World
Here is a look at some of the most famous instrumental players around the world, celebrated for their exceptional talent.
| Name | Instrument | Major Awards | Year(s) of Recognition |
| Yo-Yo Ma | Cello | Presidential Medal of Freedom, Multiple Grammy Awards | 2001 (Presidential Medal of Freedom), 1992, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2006 (Grammy Awards) |
| Ludwig van Beethoven | Piano | Posthumous legacy honours, Global Icon of Classical Music | 1827 (Posthumous honors) |
| Itzhak Perlman | Violin | Posthumous legacy honours, Global Icon of Classical Music | Various (Posthumous honours, over several years) |
| Evelyn Glennie | Percussion | Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Polar Music Prize | 2003 (Dame Commander), 2015 (Polar Music Prize) |
| Andrés Segovia | Guitar | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Royal Spanish Orders | 1987 (Grammy Lifetime Achievement), 1981 (Royal Spanish Orders) |
| John Williams | Guitar | Grammy Awards, National Medal of Arts | 1991 (Grammys), 2009 (National Medal of Arts) |
| Joshua Bell | Violin | Avery Fisher Prize, Grammy Award | 2007 (Avery Fisher Prize), 1999, 2003, 2007 (Grammys) |
| Lang Lang | Piano | TIME 100 Most Influential People, Gramophone Artist of the Year | 2009 (TIME), 2008 (Gramophone Artist of the Year) |
| Toots Thielemans | Harmonica | Grammy Awards, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Centre Honours | 1992 (Grammys), 2009 (Presidential Medal of Freedom), 2011 (Kennedy Centre Honours) |
5 Most Famous Instrument Players in the World
Here is a look at some of the most famous instrumental players around the world, celebrated for their exceptional talent. These musicians have made significant contributions to music, inspiring audiences globally with their skill.
1. Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma is a world-famous cellist known for making classical music feel fresh and exciting. Born in Paris and raised in the U.S., he started playing at just 4 years old. His performances mix Western classical with music from different cultures. He has won many Grammy Awards and even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Students admire him for using music to connect people across the world.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 7 October, 1955 |
| List of Awards | Highest civilian honour in the United States and Grammy Awards |
2. Evelyn Glennie
Evelyn Glennie is an inspiring percussionist from Scotland who lost her hearing at age 12. But that never stopped her! She learned to “feel” music through vibrations and became the first full-time solo percussionist in history. She has been awarded the Dame Commander of the British Empire and the Polar Music Prize. Her story teaches students that passion and determination can break any barrier.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 19 July, 1965 |
| List of Awards | Polar Music Prize (2015) |
3. Itzhak Perlman
Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman is known for his powerful music and positivity. He had polio as a child, which affected his legs, but he never gave up. Playing the violin with soul and strength, he has won multiple Grammy Awards and even played at a U.S. Presidential inauguration. He is also a kind teacher who loves sharing his love for music with the next generation.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 31 August, 1945 |
| List of Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015) |
4. Lang Lang
Lang Lang is a superstar pianist from China who made piano concerts popular among young people. He started playing at age 3 and quickly became one of the world’s most recognised classical musicians. Named in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, he often performs at major global events. Lang Lang is also passionate about music education and started a foundation to support young musicians.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 14 June, 1982 |
| List of Awards | Gramophone Artist of the Year (2014) |
5. Andrés Segovia
Andrés Segovia from Spain is called the father of the modern classical guitar. He worked hard to make the guitar a respected concert instrument. With his unique style and musical passion, he opened the doors for guitarists to perform in big concert halls. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was honoured by the Spanish Royal Family. His legacy still inspires young guitarists worldwide.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 21 February, 1893 |
| List of Awards | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1987) and Royal Orders of Spain (1981) |
Famous People Who Played Instruments as a Hobby
Different countries have talented musicians who are famous for playing musical instruments. These players have amazed people around the world with their skills and have made their countries proud through their music.
| Famous Instrument Players | Instrument |
| Albert Einstein | Violin |
| Dr. L. Subramaniam | Violin |
| Neil Alden Armstrong | Baritone horn |
| Cat Deeley | Clarinet |
| Donald Byrd | Trumpet |
| Emily Blunt | Cello |
| Ewan McGregor | French horn |
| James Corden | Cornet |
| Joshua Bell | Stradivarius violin |
5 Most Famous People Who Played Instruments as a Hobby
Let us dive into some of the most famous instrumental players who played as a hobby and are celebrated for their exceptional talent.
1. Albert Einstein
Apart from being a renowned physicist, Albert Einstein was also an avid musician, with a particular love for the violin. He discovered his passion for music at age 13, and it became an integral part of his life. Mozart and Bach were his favourite composers, whose music mirrored the clarity and simplicity Einstein sought in his theories. Music was not just a hobby for him; it was central to his thinking process. Einstein once said, “If I weren’t a scientist, I would certainly have been a musician.”
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | March 14, 1879 |
| Died | April 18, 1955 |
2. Dr. L. Subramaniam
Dr. L. Subramaniam, a global violin icon, is renowned for his mastery of South Indian classical music and the violin. With a career spanning over 65 years, he has performed worldwide, collaborating with legendary artists like George Harrison, Stevie Wonder, and A.R. Rahman. A child prodigy, he earned accolades early, including the “Violin Chakravarti” title. Dr. Subramaniam has also pioneered global fusion music, blending Indian and Western styles, and founded the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival, celebrating diverse musical encounters.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | July 23, 1947 |
| Also known as | The God of Indian Violin |
3. Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, was a well-rounded individual with a passion for both science and music. A gifted student, he excelled in mathematics and science, forming a jazz band in high school and playing the baritone horn. At Purdue University, he co-directed the musical La Fing Stock and played in the All-American Marching Band. Armstrong’s dedication to arts and engineering, alongside his Eagle Scout status, highlighted his diverse talents, earning him a degree in aeronautical engineering.
| Particulars | Details |
| Full name | Neil Alden Armstrong |
| Born | August 5, 1930 |
| Died | August 25, 2012 |
4. Donald Byrd
Donald Byrd was a famous jazz musician and educator, known for his work with African-American colleges and universities. Growing up in Detroit, he learned music in high school and later earned degrees from Wayne State University, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of Colorado. Byrd played in the Air Force band and worked with top jazz musicians. He also taught at several universities and created the pop-jazz band Donald Byrd & the Blackbyrds, which had a hit record.
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | December 9, 1932 |
| Died | February 4, 2013 |
5. Emily Blunt
Emily Blunt, born on February 23, 1983, is a British-American actress known for her roles in films like The Devil Wears Prada (2006), The Young Victoria (2009), Sicario (2015), and Oppenheimer (2023). She overcame a stammer in childhood and developed an interest in acting and music, playing the cello. Blunt starred in various movies and TV series, earning a Golden Globe Award. She is also known for her role in A Quiet Place and Mary Poppins Returns (2018).
| Particulars | Details |
| Born | 23 February 1983 |
So, these were some of the ‘Famous Instrument Players in India and Around the World’ who have inspired generations through their talent and dedication. Their music connects cultures and creates timeless, meaningful melodies that live on forever.
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FAQs
Ans. Many famous people play instruments, such as Albert Einstein (violin), Taylor Swift (guitar), and Adele (piano).
Ans. Ravi Shankar is one of India’s most famous musicians, known worldwide for playing the sitar. His contributions popularised Indian classical music globally and inspired many musicians.
Ans. The top 10 hardest instruments include violin, French horn, oboe, piano, drums, guitar, bagpipes, harp, accordion, and organ. Mastering these instruments requires dedication, practice, and skill.
Ans. Many people consider the pipe organ the “king of instruments” due to its majestic sound, complexity, and ability to fill large spaces with powerful music.
Ans. For some people, the piano is the king of instruments. It can be because of its incredible tonal range and versatility, allowing pianists to play everything from delicate melodies to powerful symphonies.
Ans. The piano is one of the most popular instruments globally, admired for its versatility and timeless appeal. Many people dream of learning to play it.
Ans. Yes, Zayn Malik can play instruments like guitar and piano.
Ans. The hydraulophone, a water-based instrument, is considered one of the rarest in the world. Its unique design produces sound by moving water through tubes
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