A voice Abanti Sithi had recorded for a commercial jingle abroad was ready to be released. Then came a decision she did not expect: the human recording was replaced with an
AI-generated voice.
For the singer known as “Shishpriya” (Whistle Queen), the experience was more than a missed opportunity. It raised a larger question about where technology should stop and
human creativity should begin.
Abanti believes “AI should make artists’ work easier, not replace them altogether.”
She is particularly concerned about the growing use of AI to replicate or substitute human voices and believes specific laws and policies are now needed to protect artists from voice cloning and other uses of the technology in creative work.
“The music industry supports the livelihoods of many people beyond the performers themselves,” she noted. A proper legal framework, she believes, would protect not only
individual artists but the wider creative industry.
Her concerns extend beyond technology. Abanti is also worried about concerts and cultural events being halted in Bangladesh, arguing that culture is one of the foundations of a nation’s identity.
She said “AI is worrying, but losing our cultural stages is dangerous.”
“When a concert is cancelled the consequences go far beyond the performer who loses a stage. Sound-system workers and many other professionals involved in organising events also lose work” Abanti added.
She hopes a normal environment for cultural activities will return soon.
The contrast is striking for a singer who is currently continuing her own musical journey far from home.
Meanwhile, motherhood has opened a new chapter without slowing her musical journey. Abanti is travelling abroad with her daughter Anushree, continuing practice, recordings and concerts.
The baby has travelled with her since she was two months old and has remained cooperative during shows and recording sessions. Abanti sometimes practises and records while holding her.
“She is such a small baby, but she is incredibly music-friendly. It is genuinely surprising to me,” Abanti said.
Anushree now takes up much of her time, leaving Abanti uncertain about her return to Bangladesh. She expects to return towards the end of this year or early next year.
In Portugal, she recently performed at an annual reunion of former cadets from around the world, accompanied by her husband on keyboard, and found an atmosphere reminiscent of Bangladesh.
Her experience in drama and film playback singing, she believes, has taught her that strong microphone performances come through years of work.
It now allows her to complete songs in a single take after a music director’s instructions, although surpassing herself remains a daily challenge.
She attributes the “magical” quality of her voice to a God-given gift and years of practice. Regular practice builds “muscle memory”, helping preserve a song’s emotion, while listeners ultimately judge an artist’s talent.
Abanti is modest about her popular pairing with Rehaan Rasul, saying listeners can best explain its appeal. She hopes to collaborate with more popular pairings in the future and, after returning to Bangladesh, would be interested in recording an original duet or working on a special project if the opportunity arises.
Abanti says, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa remains another defining chapter. The experience continues to shape her music and teaching, while Rupkothar Jogote, recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 after music director Sajid Sarker approached her, gave her career fresh momentum when she was considering BCS preparation. She calls it a “rebirth” as an artist.
With digital platforms crowded with new releases, Abanti says holding listeners’ attention is difficult, though she welcomes music emerging through dramas, YouTube and artists’ initiatives. For her, a song that remains listened to 10 or 20 years later is truly successful.
Several new songs and projects are already in the pipeline. She has also taken the initiative to release “solo recreate” versions of some of her original songs and hopes to complete projects that were put on hold before returning to listeners with new music.
Abanti is meanwhile awaiting the National Film Award 2023 for Best Female Playback Singer for Gaa Chuye Bolo from Surongo. The ceremony has been delayed by scheduling issues.
With Anushree still young, she says the delay suits her: she hopes to attend when her daughter is older and receive the state honour in person.
