INDIA’s Bollywood playback and devotional singer, Anuradha Paudwal, arrived in Guyana and performed at a show at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, on Sunday night.After her arrival, she was at the National Television Network (NTN) 69 Studio on Brickdam, Georgetown, where she was interviewed by reporters. She disclosed that at 18:30 hrs, she would belt out popular songs to thrill the large audience that is expected.
She told reporters that she is quite happy to be here and was very touched when she heard her songs being played on the radio and also on television.
The renowned singer, who is noted for her melodious voice, said that she performed in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday and that show was well received there and is hoping for the same here.
Paudwal stated that this is not her first visit to Guyana, since she was here in 1980 accompanied by other singers, noting that in attaining her status in the music industry she had ups and downs just like any other person.
She said that she enjoys singing which brings out a colour of emotions which is depicted in her songs and here in Guyana, she is pleased to see that the Indian culture is very much alive, having seen many houses outfitted with jhandi (red) flags.
Although rated one of the best playback singers, Anuradha Paudwal enjoys the simpler things in life and pointed out that she is passionate about singing bhajans.
On her way from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Anuradha Paudwal briefly stopped at the Bhaveshwar Mandir where she met with devotees and was honoured by her fans.
She will be singing alongside Sachin Sharma, who said that it is his fourth time here in Guyana and the last time he was here was in 2009.
He will be performing duets with Anuradha Paudwal singing some of the traditional songs along with the more popular ones.
Anuradha’s career started with the movie, Abhimaan, (starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan).
In 1976, she got her break as a playback singer in the movie, Kalicharan, (which starred Shatrugan Sinha and Reena Roy). Her first solo was in the movie, Aap Beeti, (starring Hema Malini and Shashi Kapoor). Laxmikant-Pyarelal was the music-composing duo for that movie. She also occasionally sang songs which were composed by Rajesh Roshan (Des Pardes), Jaidev (Dooriyan, Laila Majnu), Kalyanji-Anandji (Kalaakar, Vidhataa), and Usha Khanna (Souten, Sajan Bina Suhagan).
Anuradha sang in a few Marathi movies some memorable numbers such as “Disate Majalaa” (in the movie, Ashtavinayak), “Raja Lalakaari”, and “Kaalyaa Maatita Maatitaa”.
She gained recognition when she rendered some exceptional numbers for the movie, Hero. (Laxmikant-Pyarelal was the music-composing duo for Hero.)
She collaborated with movie producer, Gulshan Kumar, and her success streak began with the movies, Lal Dupatta Malmal Ka, Tezaab, Ashiqui, and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin.
At her peak, Anuradha announced that thenceforth she would sing exclusively for the music company, “T-series”, and concentrated on devotional songs and “cover-version” albums.
Written By Michel Outridge
