4 minutes of readingNew DelhiFebruary 9, 2026 09:01 am
Singer Arijit Singh She returned to the stage in Kolkata on Sunday, marking her first live performance since announcing her decision to step away from playback singing. The appearance, held at a packed Netaji Indoor Stadium, quickly turned into an emotional evening as fans greeted the singer with thunderous applause. Arijit joined the sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar and celebrated percussionist Bickram Ghosh during an extended 20-minute performance that left the audience spellbound.
Arijit performs with Anoushka Shankar and Bickram Ghosh
Moments from the performance soon flooded social media, capturing Arijit being invited on stage by sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar. Addressing the crowd, the singer admitted to feeling nervous. “I’m very nervous. Thank you for inviting me,” he said.
Arijit singh 😍🥹 pic.twitter.com/fAbD3g9cDJ
– Arijit Singh (@Semranrass1) February 8, 2026
Arijit then joined Anoushka and Bickram Ghosh for a powerful performance of “Maya Bhora Raati”, a Bengali composition originally sung by Lakshmi Shankar and composed by the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Arijit Singh 👑 Kolkota live with Anoushka Shankar ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vkbylfWlza
— closed account🫂 (@ASFAN_MAKKAR) February 8, 2026
Arijit also spoke about Anoushka’s visit to his home in London and the creative moments they spent making music together. The set also included a duet of “Traces of You,” the haunting song composed by Anoushka and originally performed with Norah Jones.
Anoushka Shankar shares concert video
Anoushka later shared a glimpse of the evening on Instagram, expressing her own emotions. “There’s a lot more to say later but for now, my heart!!! Listening to the one and only @arijitsingh bring my father’s rare Bengali song to life and then sharing our new music with Calcutta“It was truly one for the books,” he wrote.
Fans react to Arijit’s performance.
Fans quickly flooded the comments section with their reactions. “OMG! I’ve always wanted to see this avatar,” one user wrote, while another commented, “I hope she returns to pure classical singing, although it’s a difficult path.”
Another user commented, “The audience was stunned when Anoushka Shankar announced her surprise guest – the one and only Arijit Singh.” Others wrote: “This is what Arijit is all about… pure talent” and “I still dream about what I just witnessed today.”
Story continues below this ad.
Arijit Singh’s retirement from playback singing
Arijit had announced his decision. stop taking on new playback singing assignments on January 27 via a heartfelt message on Instagram. Thanking listeners for years of unwavering support, he called the trip “wonderful” and signaled a break in commitments to film music.
Shortly after, posts believed to come from his personal X account offered more clarity about the decision. The 38-year-old singer explained that it was not a sudden move but the result of prolonged introspection. Arijit admitted that he tends to get restless creatively and shared that he now feels the need to explore different musical spaces to stay inspired. He also spoke about making space for new voices in the industry, expressing his hope that new talent will, in turn, inspire him.
Despite stepping away from playback singing, Arijit assured his fans that music remains the center of his life. He plans to focus on creating original compositions and reconnecting with Indian classical music.