"His gifted voice could exfoliate the contrasting emotions of anguish and ecstasy with equal felicity; his impassioned rendition of both the major melodies like a Thodi or Kalyan in their multifarious variations and their minor counterparts like Bhoop or Abhogi with equal aplomb. In either case, one could only marvel at his unfailing deep, powerful and penetrating vocalism. Equally emphatic was the way he could throw away the values and sanctity of sweetness to unleash a flurry of rollicking bol-taans, an exquisite feat which was not easily fathomable by any other artiste in living memory."

"Known as the Bethovan of India he occupies a place in South Indian Music in some respects comparable to that of Western Europe, Not only did he compose music that established enduring repertoire and remains at its center. But he also defined a new kind of cultural consciousness. Even today, Tyagaraja’s songs are thought to represent the best of South India’s cultural heritage."

"Whenever I go to south India, I hear the songs of Saint Thyagaraja."

"Proverbially, Thyagaraja’s songs are said to be like grapes that is immediately enjoyable"

"Tyagaraja is my Bible; I quote Tyagaraja all the time — as with Shakespeare there is something for any occasion."

"It is as a pioneer who has enlarged the possibilities of the art [of Karnataka Music] that Tygayyar is entitled to our fullest admiration...and he is one of the greatest singers of all times whose influence is closely woven into national thought and action. Tirumalya Naidu in his book of Tyagaraja written in 1910."

"The greatest songster-saint that the world has ever produced...He was full of love and devotion to the lord and he had direct ;;w:Darshan|darsana]] [Vision] of the Lord and had also Cosmic Consciousness."

"With...passionate devotion to the ideals of beauty, harmony, freedom, and aspiration… had the strongest impact on society."

"If Thyagaraja only once with prema called ‘Rama’ forthwith came the response from Sri Rama. O!Thyagaraja, here I am."

"It is impossible to name another person in this world who can be said to be equal to Tyagaraja in Rama Bhakthi."

"What is the use of sangita (music without bhakti)."

"Wont you draw back the curtain within me, O Lord Venkataramana of Tirupati, Open up this screen of envy."

"The effortless ease with which his tried vocal chords alternately contrasted the vibrant and tender shades is another special characteristics of Bhimsen’s rendition, capable of capturing the subtlest tones, at once showcasing the aesthetic majesty and grandeur of his exceptionally captivating quality of singing."

"What is more, Bhimsen was as much at home in encapsulating the classical mode as in toying with the lighter variety of music. While his alap, bhadat and bandish in the classical mode sported a proportioned, balanced and serene majesty of the melodic range, the lighter Bhava Geet, Thumri, Abhang and Dasapadas were redolent with discreet lyrical flavour."

"He was a genius who could not only transcend all theoretical boundaries of a technique, but verily transport any category of listener to a sublime realm. No wonder, he had among his fans as many votaries of Hindustani style as its Carnatic counterpart."

"What captured the heart and soul of the discerning listener was his uncanny craftiness and skill, the unfailing imaginative flights, rhythmic continuity and singular charm, making their lasting impact."

"...his chiselled style was an amalgamation of the very best in the tradition of Hindustani classical music, nay music in its fullness, a musical inheritance that goes back to the all-time greats like a Thansen, a Tyagaraja or a Beethoven."

"One of the illustrious disciples of the famed, Kirana Gharana, hallowed by such great luminaries like its styliser Abdul Karim Khan and his own legendary mentor Rambhau Kundagolkar, better known as Sawai Gandharva, Bhimsen by his stentorian vocalism lent a new dimension to the gharana."

"He was a great vocalist but even a greater human being. He used to treat me like his daughter and we used to meet frequently. I am fortunate that I got an opportunity to record a bhajan with him. I was very scared while singing with him but he encouraged me"

"Pandit Jasraj, he was a chaumukha gayak: a man who revelled in a bhajan or a khayal with equal verve and joy"

"Such was Joshi's talent that he effortlessly changed tracks from classical music to abhang, natyageet, semi-classical and even playback singing."

"His exposition of a Khayal is a perfectly balanced presentation showing his excellence in all its varied components."

"Music challenged him and he pushed its boundaries."

"The legendary vocalist Bhimsen Joshi emerged from those remarkable days when creative processes were marked by diversity of thought and emotion."

"Had I not been a classical singer, I would have loved to spend my entire life in a garage fine-tuning a Fiat or a Maruti."

"I accept this honour on behalf of all Hindustani vocalists who have dedicated their life to music."

"Subbalakshmi was indeed the icon who could bring the world to its knees:her rendering moved Yehudi Menuhin to tears, Bade Gulam Ali Khan called her "Suswaralakshmi Subbulakshmi", while Helen Keller once said “You sing like an angel”. She could captivate the people with an occasional lift of an eyebrow and a beatific smile-meant not for the audience but for the divine."

"The singing legend lives on her suprabathams (morning prayer songs) and w:bhajansbhajans."

"M.S. had long ago been anointed Bharat Ratna by the people of India, with her art recognised and cherished by anyone with a modicum of cultural intelligence"

"Lata Mangeshkar called her Tapaswini (the Renunciate)."

"She incandesced as she sang. Her singing voice employed more than the process of phonation, more than the scope of the larynx."

"Sarojini Naidu repositioned her own title of Nightingale of India on to Subbalakshmi’s avian frame, it was because that daughter of Bengal saw the gift of song arriving and alighting on this daughter of India’s south, like a migratory bird from the collective genius of our music."

"Oh! Who am I; a mere Prime Minister before the queen of song."

"Subbulakshmi, when singing, comes closer to God and the same happens to those who listen to her."

"Even if Subbalakshmi merely recited the words of her songs without singing them, he would prefer to hear them than anybody else."

"My greatest fear is giving performances. I feel I am responsible for the audience BUT I am also scared of them."

"Indian music is oriented solely to the end of divine communication. If I have done something in this respect entirely due to the grace of the Almighty who has chosen my humble self as a tool."

"Shankar Mahadevan: We come from different musical backgrounds. It's our USP too. We work more like a band rather than just composers. All our compositions come out during jam sessions. I am sure we will never spilt because we understand and respect each other's creativity."

"Loy Mendonsa: Technology has changed a lot and has made copying easier. People are not morally hassled by it any more. Morality has changed."

"Loy Mendonsa: Ehsaan gets very upset if it sounds remotely like anything else. Then he'll get sleepless nights. Then next morning we'll see him with dark circles"

"Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy have been great inspiration for us."

"I am a huge fan of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy ever since I 'discovered' their music in Dil Chahta Hai. Ever since, every track of theirs was a masterpiece for me, be it Salaam-E-Ishq, Kal Ho Na Ho, Lakshya."

"Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are doing some nice songs."

"I could not take up Dil Chahta Hai. Also, Bunty Aur Babli. But I am glad that Shankar Ehsaan and Loy were able to shine in these films. I love their work in these films."

"Shankar Mahadevan: Classical music is a great advantage you have. Be it during composing or arranging, classical music is like grammar."

"Shankar Mahadevan: There is a very thick line between being repetitive and having your own sound. You can always re-invent yourself - think about the sounds you are using. I don't see any reason why you have to be repetitive if you have enough knowledge, enough exposure."

"Ehsaan Noorani: (on R.D. Burman) He thought light years ahead of everyone else. He was very global in what he did. Even with limited technology and media coverage, RD did exemplary work."

"Loy Mendonsa: I'm often asked how we function within a trio. I tell them you must try sitting on a two-legged chair."

"At one time, sarangi exponents used to be called gurus and ustads because they were so learned that they could teach vocalists a thing or two. It wasn't surprising that many of them turned into vocalists and made a name for themselves independently."