Archana was a naturally talented child, blessed with a beautiful voice and an instinctive ability to understand musical notes. Her mother, a skilled singer herself, had passed down her musical genes to Archana. Unfortunately, Archana lost her mother when she was just eight, taking with her the chance for Archana to fully explore her passion for music. Living under the strict watch of her stepmother and a father, who, though not indifferent to her passion, chose peace over controversies, Archana found it difficult to nurture her talent.
“Absolutely not! We won’t waste time on such nonsense,” her stepmother scoffed when a golden opportunity arose for Archana at the age of eleven — a major search for a child singer.
The Music teacher personally came and requested that Archana be allowed to participate. “She sings Lataji’s classics flawlessly. It’s not easy for someone her age to perform such songs with such grace.”
She was quickly cut off by Archana’s stepmother. “That’s far too complicated. Someone has to accompany her, and with a three-year-old child, I can’t. Neither can her father take off from his work now and then. Let her attempt when she grows big enough to manage commuting on her own.”
The missed opportunity didn’t faze eleven-year-old Archana, as she was too young to grasp what she had lost.
However, the drama resumed with greater intensity when Archana turned nineteen. Her music teacher once again expressed her intent to showcase Archana’s talent on a stage where she could shine and become a notable playback singer.
“Your daughter is truly gifted. I’m amazed at how effortlessly she sings classical and contemporary music.”
Once again, Archana’s stepmother interrupted, “Listen, we’re in the process of finding a suitable match for her. This whole singing endeavour will take up so much time and may involve endless rounds of elimination. And who knows if it will lead to anything significant? It could end up being a waste of time and money. Opportunities of this sort will always come. She can pursue her passion once she goes to her husband’s house.”
Archana hoped for some relief in her husband’s home from her ongoing struggles. However, she was in for an even harsher reality. Her husband, Atul, insisted that she abandon her music training too.
“There’s plenty to do around the house, and with my mother just recuperating from a serious leg injury, she cannot be left alone.”
Archana sought solace in practicing what she had learned so far, but that didn’t sit well with her mother-in-law.
“What kind of obsession is this? Can’t you see my mother is getting distressed?” Atul reprimanded. Tears welled up in Archana’s eyes. She was only singing during free time, yet she was taunted. Archana’s heart twisted inside her chest as she wondered if she wasn’t going to practise, how would she fit the groove when it came to selection for a playback singer?
But that opportunity did not come by; instead, Tara came into her life. While Atul’s mother was happy to see her granddaughter, and Atul was excited at fatherhood, Archana was left in a trance.
However, the touch of the little one made her forget all her agony. Singing became restricted to lullabies and soothing songs to placate Tara.
Then, when Tara turned six, a phone call shifted everything. Archana’s friend, Nitya, who worked at a music company, reached out to inform her about an upcoming audition for playback singers.
“You should record a song and send in the CD. Archana, you are nearing thirty. It may not be easy to get an opportunity like this once you cross the threshold of thirty-years.” She urged. “Selected singers will advance to the next round, and three will make it to the final. I know you’ll shine. This is an amazing opportunity—please make that recording!”
Tara had started schooling, and Archana’s mother-in-law had passed away. Since then, Archana had resumed her singing practices. There was nothing that could deter Archana from applying for this selection now.
“What’s going on?” Atul raised an eyebrow when he saw Archana getting ready.
“I’m headed to the recording studio to record a song for the playback singer auditions.” Atul found an unmistakable confidence in her tone.
“And what about Tara, I mean, in case you get selected?” Atul played with the conversation.
“She is schooling, and we can find a nanny if it comes to keeping her with someone. Come on, Atul, you earn good money and can definitely afford that.” Archana deliberately said those words because she knew it would prod her husband’s ego.
“I suggest you wait for some more time till Tara reaches secondary school, and is capable of staying alone for some time at home, if the need arises. And what if we plan to have another kid?” Atul tried a different strategy.
“Music has always been my first child. Tara is my second child. And I suppose two is enough.” Her words left Atul tongue-tied. There was nothing more to argue. She’d won!
Archana recorded her song and filled out the application for the first round, smiling as she wrote down the date—March 8th, 2025, Women’s Day—a perfect moment she chose to gift herself the future that she was told to postpone.
Three months later, she recorded her first song as a playback singer. And then she sang till eternity! Every day was Her Day!
