Arijit Singh has broken his social media silence with a heartfelt note for Anoushka Shankar, days after their Kolkata jugalbandi created a stir online. The performance was Arijit Singh’s first live appearance since announcing retirement from playback singing, and clips from the concert spread widely, with listeners praising the chemistry between Arijit Singh, Anoushka Shankar and percussionist-composer Bickram Ghosh.
The Kolkata concert saw Arijit Singh step away from film songs and return to stage as a guest act during Anoushka Shankar’s show. The audience response was loud and emotional, as fans welcomed Arijit Singh despite the earlier retirement announcement, while Anoushka Shankar’s presence underlined the classical base of the evening’s music.
Arijit Singh note for Anoushka Shankar after Kolkata performance
On 10 February, Arijit Singh used Instagram Stories to express gratitude for the Kolkata performance with Anoushka Shankar, calling their time on stage special. Sharing a long message, Arijit Singh praised Anoushka Shankar’s art and mentioned Bickram Ghosh, while also describing how much the collaboration meant personally after stepping away from regular playback work.
The note from Arijit Singh read, “Thank you Anoushka Shankar for having me on stage last night in Kolkata. I’ve always adored your music; it listens, it speaks, it stays. Playing alongside you is always a beautiful experience, and one I look forward to every time. Grateful for the music, the moments and the generosity you bring to every note. Special Thanks to @bickramghoshofficial.” Anoushka Shankar reshared the message and replied, “Humbled beyond belief @arijitsingh.”
Arijit Singh retirement from playback singing and key dates
Arijit Singh’s recent appearance with Anoushka Shankar came soon after a major decision about career direction. On 27 January, Arijit Singh told fans that playback commitments would stop, stressing a wish to learn and create independently. The Kolkata stage performance with Anoushka Shankar therefore carried extra weight for listeners, who saw it as a rare live moment.
Arijit Singh and Anoushka Shankar Kolkata performance details
Videos from the Kolkata concert showed the crowd cheering as Anoushka Shankar invited Arijit Singh on stage. Responding to the welcome, Arijit Singh admitted feeling uneasy before singing, telling the audience, “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me.” The moment highlighted how unusual this appearance was, given Arijit Singh’s recent decision about film playback work.
Arijit Singh began the musical segment with Maya Bhora Raati, composed by the late Pandit Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar’s father. Anoushka Shankar accompanied Arijit Singh on sitar, while Bickram Ghosh added percussion. The trio then moved into Traces of You, which Anoushka Shankar created with half-sister Norah Jones, giving listeners a crossover of classical, vocal and global influences in one extended jugalbandi.
Arijit Singh future plans beyond playback singing
After the Kolkata performance with Anoushka Shankar, Arijit Singh mentioned that a visit to Anoushka Shankar’s home followed, where they worked on creating a new song together. The collaboration happened away from cameras, reflecting the direction Arijit Singh earlier outlined, with more emphasis on learning and independent compositions instead of film-based playback projects.
When Arijit Singh first revealed the retirement decision on Instagram, the singer wrote, “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.” The words marked a clear pause from mainstream playback work.
On a private Twitter account, Arijit Singh added further clarity about priorities, stating, “God has been really kind to me. I am a fan of good music and, in the future, will be learning more and doing more on my own as a small little artist. Thanks again for all your support,” indicating a shift towards quieter musical exploration away from constant film schedules.
The Kolkata show with Anoushka Shankar therefore stands out as a key moment between Arijit Singh’s playback phase and future independent path. The warm exchange of notes, the choice of compositions by Pandit Ravi Shankar and Norah Jones, and the visible audience reaction underline how strongly listeners still connect with Arijit Singh, even as playback commitments pause.