Emotional Comeback: Arijit Singh Performs Live with Anoushka Shankar Following Playback Retirement

Singer Arijit Singh marked his first live performance following his announcement of retirement from playback singing with a special appearance in Kolkata. The performance took place during a concert by sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar, where Arijit joined her as a guest performer.

Videos and pictures from the show have gone viral on social media, capturing the moment Anoushka invited Arijit on stage amid loud cheers and hoots from the audience. Addressing the crowd, Arijit appeared visibly emotional and said, “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me.”

The artists, along with percussionist Bickram Ghosh, performed Maya Bhora Raati, a Bengali song originally performed by Lakshmi Shankar, with music composed by the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. The collaboration was widely appreciated for its soulful and classical depth.

Following the performance, Arijit also shared that he had recently visited Anoushka at her home, where the two worked together on composing a song.

Arijit Singh had earlier announced his decision to step back from playback singing through an Instagram post on January 27. In his message, he stated that he would not be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist, calling it the end of a “wonderful journey.”

In a later tweet from his private account, Arijit clarified that the decision was not sudden or due to a single reason. He explained that multiple factors had led him to the choice and that he had been contemplating it for a long time, adding that he now wishes to focus on learning and creating music independently.