At an age when most teenagers are occupied with schoolwork, friendships and extracurricular activities, 16-year-old Ritik Kumar is balancing a demanding routine that revolves around education, employment and an ambition to make it big in the music industry.
A Class VIII student at the School of Eminence on Ladowali Road in Jalandhar, Ritik works part-time as a pizza delivery boy after school. His earnings, ranging between ₹6,000 and ₹8,000 a month, are being saved to finance his music recordings and help him move closer to his dream of becoming a professional singer.
From school uniform to delivery duties
Ritik's school gets over at 3.20 pm, after which he heads to work at a pizza chain. According to the account provided, his usual shift runs from 4 pm until midnight and sometimes extends until 2 am when there is a staff shortage.
The demanding schedule leaves him with little time to relax. He says there are days when he does not even get an opportunity to have lunch, but he continues working because he wants to fund his musical journey through his own earnings.
The eldest of three siblings, Ritik belongs to a modest family. His father works as a cable operator, while his mother is a homemaker. He says improving his family's financial condition is as important to him as establishing himself in music.
"Whatever I earn, I save towards recording my singles. I want to build a career in the music industry and participate in singing reality shows such as Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa," he says.
Music remains at the heart of his ambitions
Despite the responsibilities of work and school, Ritik has continued his formal music training. He attends three music classes every week under the guidance of Happy Deewana, who runs music classes in Gurunanakpura West.
A devotional and Sufi singer, Ritik has already performed at live shows in Jalandhar and taken his first step towards a professional recording career.
On October 13, he released his debut devotional album, titled Maa Tere Dar To Jaan Nu Ni Karda Dil. His mentor also helped him with the recording of the album, marking an important milestone in his musical journey.
Mentor helps him take his first musical steps
Recalling how Ritik joined his music classes, Happy Deewana said he first met the youngster when he visited his family after his nephew, Harsh Sikander, participated in Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs in 2023.
Ritik expressed his interest in learning music during the interaction and subsequently joined the classes.
Happy Deewana said he has since guided Ritik in his musical training and helped him record his first album.
Dream of supporting his family through music
For Ritik, becoming a singer is not just about recognition, reality television appearances or performing on big stages. It is also about creating a better future for his family.
He hopes to perform at music shows across Punjab, earn a stable livelihood and eventually provide his parents and siblings with a more comfortable life.
"I want to improve my household conditions. Music is my motivation, and I want to make a career in it to provide a comfortable life to my family," he says.
Long working hours raise concerns
While Ritik's determination to pursue his ambitions is striking, his reported working hours also raise questions about the challenges faced by a teenager balancing education and employment.
India's Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act regulates the employment of adolescents aged 14–18. Section 7 restricts working periods and prohibits adolescent employment between 7 pm and 8 am. The reported late-night shifts therefore warrant scrutiny by the relevant authorities and clarification from the employer.
Ritik's story is ultimately about a young boy trying to turn his passion into a profession while shouldering responsibilities beyond his years. His first album may be only the beginning, but his journey highlights both the aspirations of young talent and the importance of ensuring that their dreams do not come at the cost of their education, safety and well-being.
