Music industry feels it has lost one of its own

New Delhi: Members of the music industry sought to reflect on Ishmeet Singh's "wonderful", "down-to-earth" and "sincere" persona as they came to grips with his death in the Maldives.

Ishmeet won over music lovers on the talent show Voice of India. The 19-year-old, from a middle-class family in Ludhiana, Punjab, had gone to the Maldives for a promotional event with a music company.

He left Mumbai on Tuesday morning for the Maldives, where he was to perform on August 1. However, he apparently drowned on Tuesday in a swimming pool at a beach resort.

Music composers Jatin Pandit and his brother Lalit Pandit, who judged Ishmeet's performance on Voice of India (VOI), said they were shocked by the news of his death.

Jatin said: "I am shocked. He was an innocent boy. Ishmeet always had it in the back of his mind that he had to be the VOI winner. I had even been to his house in Ludhiana and had food with his family. I know everyone in his house. I can't believe he is no more. If he would have continued with the same zeal, he would have made his mark in the industry."

Lalit said he had been working with Ishmeet on an album and said "the terrible hand of fate" had silenced a beautiful voice.

Album in the works

"Ishmeet had recorded a song for one of his albums with me and it had turned out very well. I will see to it and ensure that the song is released and his voice reaches the people of India. His death has taken me by shock," he said.

Lalit blamed the organisers "who send such young and talented singers abroad for shows".

"I am sure there must have been a lapse in security," he added.

Music director Monty Sharma of Saawariya fame, who is judging the second season of VOI, met Ishmeet 15 days ago but was staggered by the news. "I met him for a show in Kolkata. I am shocked. He was such a down-to-earth and a simple person. I think he was very dynamic as a singer and the country has lost a good voice," he said.