Last Updated:
Arijit Singh’s father reveals how their Sikh family moved from Lahore after Partition and shares memories of the singer singing kirtan in Jiaganj.
Arijit Singh’s father opens up about their family’s migration from Lahore after Partition and recalls the singer’s early days singing kirtan at a local gurdwara in Jiaganj.
When Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing on January 27, 2026, the news left fans stunned across the country. While the music industry grappled with disbelief, a quieter narrative was unfolding far from Mumbai’s studios in Jiaganj, a small riverside town in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.
It is here that Arijit was born, raised and continues to remain deeply anchored.
A Family Journey From Lahore To Bengal
In a conversation with The Telegraph India, Arijit’s father Surinder Singh revisited the family’s journey that began long before the singer’s rise to fame.
“Our ancestral home was near Lahore. After Partition, my father and his three brothers migrated to Lalgola,” he shared.
Like countless families displaced during Partition, the Singhs were forced to leave everything behind. Cloth merchants by trade, they rebuilt their lives from scratch. From Lalgola, the family eventually moved to Jiaganj, settling by the river. Some relatives established themselves in what later became known as Panjabipara, where the Sikh community built a gurdwara that turned into a spiritual and social anchor.
What began as survival gradually became belonging.
Growing Up As ‘Shomu’
In Jiaganj, Arijit was never a star. He was “Shomu” to neighbours and family members. Music shaped his childhood, often beginning with visits to the local gurdwara, where he accompanied his mother to sing kirtan during special occasions.
Even after becoming one of India’s most celebrated voices in 2013, the pull of home remained strong.
Surinder Singh described the pride he feels as a father. “Moja lagey. I feel amused. People ask me ‘what is your son doing’, ‘what is his next project’,” he said.
The Emotional Bond With Home
Despite professional commitments in Mumbai, Jiaganj has always drawn Arijit back.
“This is such a peaceful place. Even my son couldn’t live in Mumbai and had to return. Ei maatir emoni taan,” his father said, referring to the emotional pull of their homeland.
Arijit’s connection to the town goes beyond sentiment. His children study locally, and many of his philanthropic efforts are focused on strengthening schools and improving infrastructure in Jiaganj.
A New Chapter With ‘Raina’
Even as he steps away from playback singing, Arijit continues to explore independent music. He recently released a new track titled Raina, composed by Shekhar Ravjiani and written by Priya Saraiya.
The song has already begun gaining attention among listeners and is available on the Garuuda Music YouTube channel.
While the spotlight may shift, Jiaganj remains constant. For Arijit Singh, the journey from a riverside town to national acclaim has never meant leaving home behind.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google.
Get the latest entertainment news related to bollywood, hollywood movies, telugu, tamil, other south films and tv shows. Updates on upcoming movies, ott releases, movie reviews, celebrity news, and box office, korean drama and music. Join the fun, play games on News18. Download the News18 App.
March 01, 2026, 19:00 IST
Disclaimer: We do not own any of the content, ideas, images, or text presented here. All rights belong to their respective owners. For more information and to view the original source, please visit the following link: