Music Legends Reflect on Arijit Singh's Decision to Step Away from Playback Singing
The recent announcement by playback singing sensation Arijit Singh that he will no longer accept new assignments has sparked widespread discussion across the Indian music industry. Two respected veterans, singer Anuradha Paudwal and music composer Lalit Pandit, have now shared their thoughtful reactions to this significant development.
Lalit Pandit's Personal Connection and High Praise
In an exclusive interview with ANI, renowned music composer Lalit Pandit revealed his long-standing association with Arijit Singh, tracing back to the singer's early days on the reality show 'Fame Gurukul'. Pandit recalled, "Arijit is a very young man. I have known him for a long time, since the beginning. He sang his first song for me at Tips. After completing 'Fame Gurukul', he came to me for training. I could see that he was talented, and he sang very well."
Pandit expressed his admiration by stating, "Bass unke jaisa singer aaye toh maza aayega (It would be fun if a singer like him comes)." He went further to assert that Arijit Singh stands alone among contemporary vocalists, saying, "He adds a lot to the song—the expression, style, voice quality, and level of singing. There is no one else with a depth in singing as similar as Arijit. He outshines everyone."
Anuradha Paudwal's Perspective on the Exit
During the same interview, legendary singer Anuradha Paudwal offered her perspective on Singh's decision to retire from playback work. She described his exit as a "good decision" while acknowledging the industry's desire for talented artists to continue indefinitely.
Paudwal explained, "If there is a good artist, we want him to go on singing forever. I don't think he has quit music. If he has quit playback singing, he must be having his own good reason. He is not a person who does anything in the name of fame. He is not like that."
She elaborated on the psychological aspect of stepping away from success, stating, "If he has a feeling that he has got what he wanted, that's it. I think he has taken a very good decision. He has given his best. He has got good songs. It is not very easy to give up something when you are at the number one position. It takes a lot of strength and mental stability."
The Announcement That Started It All
The conversation stems from Arijit Singh's social media announcement last month, where he declared his intention to cease accepting new playback singing assignments. In his post, Singh expressed gratitude to his fans, saying, "Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey."
This decision marks a significant moment in contemporary Indian music, coming from an artist who has dominated playback singing for over a decade with numerous chart-topping hits across multiple languages.
The reflections from industry veterans like Paudwal and Pandit highlight both the respect Arijit Singh commands within the music community and the thoughtful consideration being given to his career choices. Their comments suggest that while his departure creates a void in playback singing, it represents a personal milestone achieved through exceptional talent and dedication.
