Migration after Partition and rebuilding a life in Bengal
Surinder Singh explained that the family’s original home was close to Lahore. His father, and three of his father’s brothers, moved to Lalgola following Partition, leaving everything they owned. They had been cloth traders, and so had to begin again in a new country, possessing very little.
The family at first made their home in Jiaganj, within West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. In time, some relatives moved to an area called Panjabipara, where the Sikh people set up a gurdwara. This gurdwara became the centre of worship, culture, and the rebuilding of the community.
Adapting to life in West Bengal involved making new daily habits and finding new work. Surinder said that they found a house by the river and slowly got their businesses going once more. The experience is the same as many migrations from the time of Partition – where strength and community connections made new homes.
Early musical influences: singing kirtan in the gurdwara
Jiaganj was not only a safe place, it was also where Arijit Singh took his very first steps in music. People in the area remember him as ‘Shomu’ – long before he became famous across the country. He went with his mother to the gurdwara, and sang kirtan at special events.
Singing religious songs gave Arijit an early look at tune, beat, and religious feeling. This base in kirtan helped make his voice sensitive, and his way of speaking, qualities which people later enjoyed in his playback work.
The gurdwara was also a place where children and adults shared musical traditions. For Arijit, these relaxed meetings gave him practice, self-belief, and an early audience who supported his skill.
A lifelong bond with Jiaganj despite fame
Even after becoming well-known and working in the main film music business, Arijit did not break his links with Jiaganj. Surinder Singh said that the peace of their hometown always drew the singer back. He couldn’t live in the city all the time and chose to come back often.
People who live there remember Arijit swimming in the local river and riding a scooter around town. These simple events show a life based on normal routines, not constant show business shine. His children go to school in Jiaganj and the family owns property in larger cities, while remaining at home.
This connection gives a reason for Arijit’s choices, including the recent move away from playback singing. For many artists, going back to their hometown gives them balance and new creative energy.
Charity work and local development through Tatwamasi
By means of his charity Tatwamasi, Arijit has given help to local schools, health care, and cultural projects in Jiaganj. Surinder Singh pointed to efforts to improve schools, build a hospital, and plan a music school. These projects are meant to have a long-lasting effect on the community.
The idea of a music school links directly to Arijit’s roots in singing kirtan. It would make organised teaching where the relaxed gurdwara meetings once helped skill grow. Investments in the area help save cultural memory while giving new chances to young people.
This kind of giving shows how a famous artist can turn success into clear local gains. It also strengthens the singer’s continuing connection with the place which made his early years.
Recent career notes and continuing legacy
Arijit told his fans on January 27, 2026, that he was giving up playback singing – a move which surprised a lot of people. Although he has stopped, he recently released the song Raina, proving he is still creatively involved in chosen projects.
Surinder Singh expressed pride and amusement at questions about what Arijit would do next. The family story from Lahore to Jiaganj, and the gurdwara kirtan days, makes the public understand his artistic roots better. That story also shows how a musician’s life and lasting importance are shaped by personal history and community links.
