India, Jan. 28 -- As Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing on Tuesday evening, I remarked to a friend, half in jest: "For years, his songs were what you turned to when sad, can't even do that tonight." It is true that Arijit was the voice of heartbreak for a generation. But he was much more than that, a versatile singer who filled a void in Bollywood like few had before him.

If Arijit Singh's shock retirement announcement stunned fans, it was rightly so. The 38-year-old has been one of the most celebrated voices in Indian music, delivering a string of chart-topping hits that have left an indelible mark on Bollywood and the hearts of listeners worldwide.

Over the years, Arijit has come to be known for his soulful re...