Arijit Singh's Journey from Bollywood Stardom to Artistic Independence
In a move that has surprised the Indian music industry, Arijit Singh, the nation's most celebrated playback singer, has chosen to step away from Bollywood at the height of his career. At 38 years old, Singh is embracing a new vision for his music, one that prioritizes creative freedom over commercial demands.
The Retreat to Jiaganj: Finding Creative Space
Far from Mumbai's glittering studios and relentless industry executives, Singh now resides in Jiaganj, a small town in West Bengal's Murshidabad district. This location, situated along the unhurried flow of the Bhagirathi river, represents more than just a change of scenery. It symbolizes Singh's deliberate choice to distance himself from the system that made him famous.
His mint-green walled home, decorated with his children's handprints, serves as his creative sanctuary. Here, away from the pressures of film music production, Singh's mind and music find space to breathe and evolve.
Redefining Success: Beyond Playback Singing
Singh's decision to retire from playback singing after a decade of defining love and loss in contemporary Bollywood through his textured voice might seem abrupt. However, this move represents not an abandonment of music, but rather a reclamation of artistic control.
This shift allows him to focus on how his songs sound artistically, rather than how they fit specific film situations, soothe composers' egos, or meet producers' demands for streaming success and social media virality.
The Promise of Enhanced Musical Expression
Stepping away from industry complications doesn't interrupt Singh's musical journey. Instead, it promises to enhance his creative output. In today's film music landscape, where technology and new filmmaking idioms have transformed playback singers from cultural icons into metrics-driven performers, Singh's departure might give us the kind of authentic tunes currently missing.
Even Singh's own songs had begun to sound predictable within the formula-driven marketplace dominated by remixes. His composition "Barkha" under his record label Oriyon Music demonstrates what's possible when creativity takes precedence. This gentle rain song, written by Irshad Kamil, showcases how simplicity can move hearts while displaying Singh's classical training and versatility.
Global Recognition and Local Roots
Singh's artistic journey is marked by remarkable achievements. In a stunning accomplishment, he has surpassed global popstars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to become the most followed artist on Spotify. This global recognition hasn't diminished his connection to his roots.
Born in Murshidabad to a Sikh father and Bengali mother, Singh trained in Hindustani classical music. His early career included assisting composer Pritam and singing scratch versions for other artists before his breakthrough with "Tum hi ho" from Aashiqui 2 in 2013. Subsequent hits like "Kabira", "Phir le aaya dil", "Channa mereya", and "Kesariya" established him as a dominant force in popular music.
Even Grammy-winning artist Ed Sheeran recognized Singh's talent, traveling to Murshidabad to collaborate on "Sapphire". The image of the two artists zooming through Singh's hometown on a scooty captures the singer's grounded nature despite international fame.
The Future of Arijit Singh's Music
While Bollywood will certainly miss his distinctive voice, Singh's departure carries the promise of something brilliant on the horizon. His return to Murshidabad, where he still takes cycle rickshaws from the railway station after concert tours and where his children attend school, represents a conscious choice to protect his artistic integrity.
This move away from playback singing may well result in music that's more authentic, more personal, and ultimately more meaningful. As Singh focuses on composition and production – ambitions he expressed as early as 2013 – the music industry awaits what this creative liberation might produce.
