India, Jan. 28 -- The world of Indian music stood still on Tuesday. In a move that left millions of fans across the globe heartbroken, Arijit Singh - the soulful voice of a generation, announced his retirement from playback singing in a post on Instagram.

Arijit also thanked fans for their love, but said that he is "calling it off." For a decade, his voice has been the companion to our heartbreaks, our romances, and our quietest moments of introspection. As the news breaks, social media is flooded with tributes, but for me, the news hits differently. It takes me back to a cold night in Hyderabad, 7 December 2024, where I witnessed not just the singer, but the human behind the microphone.

As we process this farewell, I find myself lookin...