In a deeply personal and reflective session at THE WEEK Goodfellows Silver Economy Summit in Mumbai, singer Rekha Bhardwaj joined Goodfellows founder Shantanu Naidu for an intimate conversation that moved beyond ageing as a demographic trend.
Ageing, she said, is not merely a number; it brings tangible physical and emotional changes, particularly for women navigating phases such as menopause. Yet, she framed these changes not as setbacks, but as part of a larger journey of self-discovery. “It’s about accepting yourself—everything that is good and not so good,” she reflected, adding that mistakes, too, are essential to growth.
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Life, she said, is not linear but “like a winding road”, where one progresses and regresses, revisiting inner conflicts before emerging stronger. This cyclical process, she suggested, is a form of emotional and spiritual cleansing.
In this journey, music has been her anchor.
For Bhardwaj, music is not just performance—it is meditation, connection and healing. Drawing from Sufi philosophy, she described how music enables a deeper connection with oneself and with others. “When you speak or sing from the heart, you connect,” she said, explaining how music dissolves barriers between individuals and fosters a sense of belonging.
Naidu then shifted the conversation to a pressing issue within the silver economy: loneliness among senior citizens. Could music offer solace in a way that conventional interventions cannot?
Bhardwaj’s answer expanded the definition of loneliness itself. “Loneliness is not just something you experience when you are old,” she noted. It can surface at any stage of life—during moments of transition, uncertainty or emotional overwhelm. Recalling her own experiences, she spoke about phases where she felt isolated despite being surrounded by life in a bustling city like Mumbai.
What helped, she said, was a conscious shift in perspective. Observing everyday life—the movement of people, small interactions, fleeting joys—became a source of comfort. Equally important was accepting loneliness as a reality rather than resisting it. “If you accept it, it becomes easier to live with,” she suggested.
The conversation also touched upon the idea of purpose. Bhardwaj underscored the importance of continuing to seek, learn and evolve—regardless of age. This mindset, she implied, is what keeps one “alive” rather than merely existing.