great singer’s daughter Anuradha PaudwalSinger-artist Kavita Paudwal is creating her own niche by being associated with devotional music. After launching Kirtan Club, she is now taking the format forward across India with an ambitious plan of 52 shows per year – blending devotion with a high-energy, community-driven experience. The Yatra will begin in Mumbai on May 3 at 6:30 pm from Ajivasan Hall, Juhu.With over two decades of stage experience and training under Pandit Jiyalal Vasant Suresh WadkarPoetry brings both a heritage and a deep, living connection with the hymns. In an exclusive conversation with ETimes, she talks about Kirtan Club, her journey and growing up Anuradha Paudwal, and the enduring inspiration of Asha Bhosle.
Your show ‘Kirtan Club’ seems to be a very unique experience. Tell us about it. Is it a mix of classical and western?
No, it is classical music with some elements of western music. It differs in the sense that, as the name suggests, it is more traditional. These are the songs that people sing a lot during festivals—that’s the main part of it.When we say “club,” we refer to that happy, free state of mind. The idea is to sing the same traditional songs but without any restrictions – very open, very inclusive. These are songs that have been sung by generations. Everyone sings, everyone listens. We are trying to create a platform where everyone can sing and dance together.Besides, we are also very conscious about maintaining purity. It’s like a family gathering – people of all ages, someone playing guitar, someone playing drums, someone adding something new – but it still retains a certain sacredness. There is no alcohol etc. there. It is a place of joy, familiarity and togetherness.
Can spectators also participate?
Absolutely. This is not a performance in the usual sense. It is like a satsang. No one just sits back and watches – everyone participates.If one person sings “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, it is not the same as when everyone sings together. That collective energy is what we want. It’s interactive, immersive and very community-driven.We also plan to share stories about pilgrimages, festivals and traditions across India. On the same day, different festivals are celebrated in different parts of the country, each with its own songs and language.For example, Diwali has its own language and context, Makar Sankranti has its own language and context – but the essence is celebration. So we will have Krishna bhajans, Radha bhajans, Shiv mantras, mantras, Ganpati songs. We are also bringing multiple languages – Gujarati Garba, Punjabi Bhajan, and more. It’s all very lively and festive.
What kind of experience do you want people to take back?
I want people to feel warm and happy. During those 90 minutes or two hours they should not think about anything else. They should just sing, dance and be present.Today people feel lonely. When you come into such an environment, you feel a sense of belonging. And when you are happy you don’t judge anyone. That’s the feeling I want people to take back.It is by invitation, but also open. The capacity of the venue is around 150 people, so we have to limit it. It is first come, first served. If people come around 4:30-5 pm, they are welcome.
How did your musical journey begin?
It started in my childhood. We used to gather every day for Aarti. During festivals, especially those 10 days, we used to wait eagerly—it would go on till 2-3 in the morning.That was my upbringing. A family that eats together, lives together, prays together, sings together – that’s how we grew up. Those are my earliest memories of kirtan.I started as a child actor. I sang for composers like Bappi Lahiri and Nadeem-Shravan. My father, Arun Paudwal, was an arranger with Bappi Da, so we were always around music. I was also taking training under Suresh ji.As a child, I got a chance to sing with Rahul Roy and Pooja Bhatt for Mahesh Bhatt’s film Junoon. I didn’t realize it was a big deal—I recorded the song and forgot about it. Months later, I found out that it was used in the film.
How did your career progress after that?
There was a gap because I was still in school. Later, in college, I did an album that became quite popular during the indie pop phase. After that I started doing live shows and playback singing.I also got offers to host reality shows like Antakshari and Sa Re Ga Ma, but I refused a show because it was clashing with my B.Com exams.After all, I worked with composers like AR Rahman. Then I got a chance to go to America.
How did it shape you?
My mother Anuradha Paudwal encouraged me. He said that once you grow up you should work and look for opportunities.I initially went for unpaid internships, even worked with the United Nations. Then I got a job as a producer and writer in a TV channel. I was already writing scripts for devotional shows in India, so it came naturally.I later completed my master’s degree at NYU. After that, I had the option to stay or come back and I decided to come back. I was very happy to be back.
Did being away affect your career in playback singing?
Yes it did. When I came back the industry had changed. Reality shows had become popular and many new singers had already become popular.If you disappear even for a few days today, people will notice. I was away for 4-5 years. People assumed I was still abroad. So yes, from Bollywood’s point of view, it made a difference.At that time, I had been gone for years. Even now, people sometimes say to me, “You were in America, right?” I say, “No, I’ve been here 15 years.”But overall, music and culture have always been a part of who I am.
Did you struggle to establish your identity, especially being Anuradha Paudwal’s daughter?
It is definitely a challenge. There are a lot of expectations when you come from a musical family. People recognize you, they respect you—but they also compare you.There is pressure. People may initially appreciate you because of your background, but that doesn’t last. If your work is good, they accept you. Otherwise, they wouldn’t do it.In fact, I think it’s more pressure than privilege. Because you have to constantly prove that you’re not just someone’s daughter – you’re your own artist. And that journey is not easy.
Does coming from a musical family make things easier in the industry?
Not necessary. This may help you get entry, but after that everything depends on your work.People may treat you with respect, but they won’t give you a job until you prove yourself. This applies everywhere—not just movies.Even in business or medicine, children grow up in the same environment, so they naturally gravitate towards it. But when you enter the real world, you still have to prove yourself.
What kind of parent was Anuradha Paudwal?
When we were little, she was quite strict – just like most parents of that generation. My father was even stricter. Parenting in those days meant first and foremost discipline, even though there was a lot of love involved.He did not express love the way people do today—like going out often or making big gestures—but he showed it in his own way. For example, she would make cakes herself, decorate them, add icing – that was her way of expressing her affection.We were not allowed to do everything freely. Sometimes school trips were refused, outings were banned. This was a normal thing for kids growing up in the 80s and 90s. There were rules – you had to study, you had to follow discipline.
What was it like growing up around his music?
A lot of my learning was completely unconscious. There is a difference between sitting down and learning something and being around it constantly.I used to listen to her riyaaz early in the morning – even in my sleep, her voice would reach me. It has a deep impact on you.As I grew up, I started to understand her artistry – how technically strong she is, how beautifully she enunciates certain lines, how precise her singing is. That appreciation came much later.
What values did they instill in you while growing up?
She was a very strong and positive person. At that time, things were very different. Today, it is common for 17-year-olds to go abroad to study, but back then it was rare – especially for girls.My father was not around at that time, so she was raising me as a single parent. For him to take this decision – to send me to another country alone for 4-5 years – was incredibly courageous.She told me, “If you go and live independently, you’ll figure out what you want to do in life.” This was a big decision for a mother at that time.Because of that, I gained a level of confidence that I don’t think I would have gained otherwise. For this I will always be very grateful to him.In our family, it was always important that the child study, take up a sport and learn an art. For us, music was naturally that art because it was part of our everyday lives.There was a strong foundation of discipline, structure and values. But there was also a lot of positivity. He always maintained a very strong mentality.
What did you learn from great personalities like Asha Bhosle?
Asha Bhosle is a great inspiration. He had every reason to limit himself. She could have easily said, ‘I’m classically trained, I won’t sing certain types of songs.’ But he never did that. Whatever he sang – whether it was classical-based or something completely different – he sang it beautifully. That kind of openness is very rare.I have met him, but from a distance. I said hello to him. My father Arun Paudwal was a sound arranger and had worked closely with people like Kishore Kumar, Lata ji and Asha ji. At the time, the industry was small – there were a lot of good musicians, but not very many – so everyone knew everyone else.One of the biggest things to learn from his life is that whatever happens in your personal life should not affect your performance. In fact, sometimes challenges make your performance even stronger. If someone says, ‘My condition is not good, how can I perform?’ – So you just look at his journey. This is very inspiring.She was singing even at the age of 92. That kind of passion and commitment is incredible. It’s very, very inspiring. In interviews, she used to say that she enjoys cooking for her family. Imagine – a legend of his stature finding happiness in something so simple. This is real greatness. Those people were like that.Artists like Asha ji, Lata Mangeshkar Or Mohammed Rafi never spoke publicly about his struggles or used him for sympathy. He never took advantage of difficult circumstances. Whatever challenges he faced, he focused on his art and through it reached incredible heights. Many people today highlight their struggles, but that generation did not. For me, the biggest learning is- just focus on your art and let your work speak.
Are you planning to return to playback singing?
Right now, I’m more excited about Kirtan Club because it’s deeply connected to who I am.Everything I’ve learned – my upbringing, my travels, my experiences – comes together here. For me, it’s not just about performance; It’s about creating a place where people feel happy and connected.If people go back happy even for those two hours, then that is enough for me.
