Ritu Maheshwari
India Post News Service
Bay Area residents were treated to a melodious evening of Bollywood songs and bhajans by playback and devotional singer Kavita Paudwal, daughter of famed composer Arun Paudwal and playback singer Anuradha Paudwal. Ritu Maheshwari of the India Post talked to her about her prolific career, which has spanned over 40 devotional albums and Bollywood films including Tohfa (1984), Phool Bane Patthar (1998), Angaaray (1998), and many more.
What’s it like being in the Bay Area?
It’s a wonderful experience. I’ve lived in the East Coast in the past, and I’ve interacted a lot with the music lovers and the community and dance floor on the East Coast, but this is my first time performing with people in California. It’s wonderful. The spirit of the West Coast shows in California. It’s good fun. They have lovely taste in music and gave me such a wonderful selection of songs to sing.
Over the years, have you seen any change in listeners’ preference for music?
Things keep changing in every industry, fashion, food, music. But some things have remained the same. Like romantic songs – Churaaliya Hai, Dil He Ki Maan Tha Nahi, Yash Raj’s songs – everyone wants to hear them. But, yes, I think music has become more rhythm-oriented, more gimmick-oriented. But I think even ten years from now even this will change and something else will come.
Do you find any difference between your fans in India and in the U.S.?
Not really. Music is something that connects people. Even if someone doesn’t understand the language, they can talk to you. But the people who live here left years ago, so the songs they listened to back then are what they want to hear now. In India they listen to newer songs. But ultimately they return to good songs, which is very heartening.
You have sung many bhajans and albums. How was your experience with them?
I don’t think you have to be a senior citizen to like bhajans. A lot of youth also connect to this today because they like the feeling of connecting with the community. There are no drugs, there’s no nothing, but they still feel so happy. People accepted me as a devotional singer even back home because I was one of the younger faces, so I could connect with younger people.
What is the key to success?
I think if you’re sincere, at some point, people appreciate you. Everything else kind of comes and goes, but when you stand on the stage and people like what you have to say, it’s a very rewarding feeling.
What is your message for the young people?
My message for the youngsters here is that they’re so intelligent and so sensitive and so honest. Especially the second and third generation Indian diaspora. They need to stay that way. These are the people who will take our culture ahead because they don’t have biases. That’s a great thing and I wish them all the best and I hope to be part of their growth in some way.
Thank you!
