Vinod Rathod is born to the late learned classical musician, Pandit Chaturbhuj Rathod. His father knew that Vinod is very talented and interested in music. Vinod could grasp the essentials of music and has shown a distinct flair for singing. Hence his father gave him basic training. 　　His career started when Usha Khanna [after listening to his voice in a cassette] called him on April 1986, to sing a qawwali, "Mere Dil Main Hai Andhera, Koi Shamma To Jala De" in Bedaag. Mohammed Aziz was his co-singer. Vinod recorded no less than 40 songs for the composer, and also sang for composers like Ajay Swami and Surinder Kohli in his struggle phase. His TV serial title song, "Yeh Jeevan Hai Akash Ganga" for the serial Akash Ganga proved very successful amongst viewers.