In an emotional return to the stage, renowned playback singer Arijit Singh performed live in Kolkata just days after announcing his retirement from playback singing. The performance, held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, marked a memorable moment as Arijit shared the stage with sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar, delighting fans with a classical fusion performance.
The concert was a blend of contemporary and classical music, with Arijit joining Anoushka and percussionist Bickram Ghosh to perform Maya Bhora Raati, a Bengali composition originally sung by Lakshmi Shankar and composed by the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. The collaboration was well-received, with the audience cheering as the trio combined their talents to deliver a spellbinding rendition of the classical piece.
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In a heartfelt moment, Anoushka welcomed Arijit to the stage, and the singer admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the occasion. “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me,” Arijit said, expressing his gratitude to the Kolkata crowd.
In addition to the classical performance, the duo also performed Traces of You, a song composed by Anoushka and originally sung by Norah Jones. This track showcased Arijit’s versatility as he adapted seamlessly to the song’s global, experimental sound.
Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from playback singing, announced on January 27, has left his fans in shock. In his social media post, Arijit explained that his decision was one of fulfillment, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from his audience over the years. He mentioned that his journey in playback singing had been “wonderful,” and the time had come for him to close this chapter.
Despite his retirement from playback singing, Arijit has not retired from live performances. He has also collaborated with actress-singer Iulia Vantur for a new track titled Echoes of Us. This project has drawn attention due to Arijit’s past differences with Salman Khan, Iulia’s close friend. However, those issues were resolved years ago, and Arijit has expressed his happiness about working with Iulia once again.
As Arijit embarks on this new phase of his career, his return to the stage in Kolkata signals a continuation of his musical journey, where he can explore new horizons while leaving behind a legacy of timeless melodies. The concert with Anoushka Shankar further hints at deeper creative collaborations, combining Arijit’s emotive voice with Anoushka’s mastery of classical music. Fans are eagerly awaiting what comes next for the versatile artist as he continues to evolve his craft.
