"Today younger generation is also connecting with spirituality...": Anuradha Paudwal
Jaipur, August 2
Veteran singer and Padma Shri awardee Anuradha Paudwal performed at a Krishna devotional music event organised by Gupt Vrindavan Dham in Jaipur, where she spoke about the growing interest of young people in spirituality and devotional music.
Addressing the gathering, Paudwal said she was encouraged to see more members of the younger generation embracing spirituality and participating in 'bhajan' singing.
"Today, we can see that the youth is also joining with spirituality. There are many new singers who are singing bhajans. This is a very good thing. God gives them direction. I feel very good that so many children have come together. Because this will give them strength in the future," she said in a conversation with ANI on Saturday.
She also said, "Today, the younger generation is also connecting with spirituality. This is a good thing. The Almighty guides everyone..."
Anuradha Paudwal is one of India's most celebrated playback and devotional singers, with a career spanning more than five decades across Bollywood, Marathi and Odia cinema.
She rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s and later established herself as one of the country's most popular voices in devotional music.
Her accolades include the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song 'Nazar Ke Samne' from (1990) 'Aashiqui', four Filmfare Awards for her film songs, and the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, conferred in 2017 for her contribution to the arts.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Her voice has been part of my childhood – 'Om Jai Jagdish Hare' in our home every morning. It's heartwarming to see the youth returning to their roots. Music is indeed a powerful medium for spiritual connection.
Good to see this trend, but let's also be practical. The youth are also drawn to the aesthetic and the calm it brings, not just pure devotion. Either way, it's positive energy. Respect to Paudwal ji for her decades of contribution.
I'm 24 and I listen to her bhajans during my study breaks. There's something so soothing about devotional music that helps you focus. It's not about religion, it's about inner peace. 😊
While I respect her views, I feel we should also be careful not to associate every form of mental wellness with spirituality. The youth are seeking balance, not just tradition. But credit where due – Anuradha ji's music bridges generations beautifully.
As someone who grew up in the US but visits India often, I've seen this shift firsthand. Indian devotional music has a universal appeal – it's calming and grounding. Good to see young Indians embracing their heritage while staying modern.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.