WHEN a singer walks away with, not one but four trophies, from a single awards night, it signals consistency, depth, and an ability to touch audiences at every level.
That was exactly what unfolded at the prestigious CLEF Music Awards 2025 in Mumbai last week, where Fiji’s Sumeet Tappoo, already a respected figure on the Indian music scene, excelled.
Out of nine nominations, his soulful voice secured four wins, a feat that placed him in rare company and set a benchmark for artists with ambition to match his drive.
The other winners on the night included leading Bollywood music industry artists such as Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Daler Mehndi, Vishal Mishra, Guru Randhawa, Armaan Malik, Farhan Akhtar, Shilpa Rao, and Anu Malik.
Tappoo’s recognition stretched across categories that demanded range and substance.
His album Dil Pareshan Karta Hai, crafted with the legendary Gulzar and Pt Bhavdeep Jaipurwale, won Best Album, instantly positioning it as one of the most significant musical works of the year.
From there, he, along with his mentor Anup Jalota, claimed Best Devotional Artist for the song Hari from their latest joint album Legacy.
They also jointly bagged the awards for Best Classical Artist for Chaturang and Best Sufi Artist for Meherbaniyan from the same album.
Each award was not just a trophy on a shelf but a stamp of credibility across genres where competition is fierce and recognition is hard-earned.
For anyone watching the industry closely, this achievement underscores a simple truth: success is not only about talent, it is about the discipline to honour your mentors, the humility to share credit, and the confidence to step into categories where many hesitate.
Tappoo credited his mentor Anup Jalota, blessings from the legendary Gulzar, and the creative genius of Pt Bhavdeep Jaipurwale and Prithvi Gandharv for shaping his two standout albums.
His words of gratitude highlighted his family, his team, and Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai as guiding forces behind his achievements.
The CLEF Music Awards had always stood for artistic excellence, and Tappoo’s sweep this year added an element of inspiration for anyone who values success that is both earned and shared.
“It was an unforgettable evening as I was humbled to receive four prestigious CLEF Music Awards,” Tappoo said.
“This recognition is not just a personal milestone but a celebration of the love, guidance, and blessings that have shaped my musical journey.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the CLEF Awards and the esteemed jury for this honour, and to my mentors, collaborators, and well-wishers for their constant support.
“Above all, I dedicate these awards to my parents, my wife Krupali, and my daughters Saisha and Meera, whose immense sacrifices make it possible for me to pursue my music career, and to my Divine Master and inspiration, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.”
