‘Awards, respect make artists feel their struggle was worthwhile’
Veteran singer Anuradha Paudwal, who was felicitated at Britain’s House of Commons for her contribution to music and charitable initiatives, says that awards and accolades are an acknowledgement of artists’ struggles.
“Music is my lifeline and when adulation and respect come from unexpected quarters — that, too, an invitation to be acknowledged in the historic and prestigious eight-decade old House of Commons — it does feel great,” says Paudwal.
“I sing for those who love music. And the love, warmth and reciprocation makes me feel honoured and respected. It’s these moments that make us artists feel that our struggle was worthwhile,” adds the National Award-winning singer, who has sung for Bollywood movies such as Aashiqui (1990), Ram Lakhan (1989), Saajan (1991) and Dil (1990), besides having an array of devotional songs to her credit. Her recent Bollywood songs include the track Tamma Tamma Again (from Badrinath Ki Dulhania, 2017), performed with Badshah and the veteran composer-singer Bappi Lahiri.
As of now, Paudwal is on a tour of the United Kingdom and Australia. “I’m awaiting my next destinations: Sri Lanka and the United States. The tour is with (singer) Kumar Sanu, with whom I share great respect and rapport,” she says.
On the music front, she says that “there’s a very interesting devotional project on Adi Shankaracharya’s works”. Paudwal calls it “an amazingly fulfilling musical tribute.”
She also wants to give back to society. “I support martyrs’ families, and aid villages that lack basic infrastructure. God has been kind and I want to pay it forward,” she says.