Arijit Singh Stuns Music World with Playback Singing Exit Announcement
In a move that has sent shockwaves across the Indian music industry, legendary playback singer Arijit Singh announced yesterday that he will be stepping down from playback singing. The announcement has left millions of fans in disbelief while prompting deep reflection within the music fraternity about artistic evolution and industry dynamics.
Industry Veteran Abhijeet Ghoshal Weighs In on the Decision
Weighing in on this monumental decision, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame Abhijeet Ghoshal stated that Arijit's move reflects an artist who has always evolved with remarkable clarity and courage. Ghoshal emphasized that this decision showcases Arijit's commitment to artistic integrity rather than commercial pressures.
"The initial Arijit that I remember is from around 2005–6. Even then, Arijit was an amazing classically inclined artist and did a lot of riyaaz," says Ghoshal, recalling their early reality-show years. "The Arijit I knew from the 2006–08 time used to sing incredibly beautiful Manna Dey songs."
Analyzing Arijit Singh's Remarkable Musical Journey
According to Ghoshal, Arijit's journey has been defined by exceptional awareness and adaptability. "Later in the industry, when he realized that that particular style would not work for that era, he changed his voice. He was so, so very capable of changing his voice from his original to the latest Arijit that we listen to today," he explains.
Pointing to the current state of playback music, Ghoshal adds, "It has become monotonous. The same old songs keep rotating again and again. Wonderful new songs are being created, but many are not cutting through in these times of heavy supply of songs. After waving the flag so high, there is literally no one around Arijit in today's playback scene."
The Path Forward: Reconnecting with Core Musical Passions
Ghoshal believes this decision will allow Arijit to reconnect with the music he has always wanted to pursue. "I am more than 1000 percent sure that he will now focus more on his classical, semi-classical music and his contemporary creative music, just the way he sang in Sukoon for Salim Sulaiman. For the next 25, 30, or 40 years, Arijit will serve the country through music in many different ways," he predicts with confidence.
The Rise of Independent Music and Artistic Freedom
Drawing a parallel with his own journey, Ghoshal says the rise of independent music has made such bold choices possible for artists today. "When I was in 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa,' many music directors appreciated my singing, but our levels never matched. Sanskrit is my first language, yet I did not get Sanskrit songs just by name," he shares candidly.
"It was only through independent music that I could release works like 'Shiv Tandav Stotra,' 'Mahalaya,' and later create more music rooted in old scriptures."
How Independent Music is Transforming the Ecosystem
Ghoshal adds that independent music has changed the entire entertainment ecosystem. "If independent music did not exist, I would be sitting under a label waiting for someone to decide what to release. Independent music has become such a big thing today, and Arijit has become such a big brand, that now independent music will be seen in a completely different league," he asserts.
The music industry now watches with anticipation as one of its brightest stars prepares to chart a new course, potentially reshaping the landscape of Indian music for years to come.
