Kamal Ghorui
Fans who attended Anoushka Shankar’s Kolkata concert were treated to an unexpected moment when Arijit Singh walked on stage for a surprise live performance. This was his first appearance and performance after announcing his decision to step away from playback singing. Arijit’s set instantly went viral on social media. Among those present backstage were music producer and entrepreneur Meghdut Roy Chowdhury and noted percussionist Bikram Ghosh. Meghdut later shared a picture with Arijit on Instagram and penned a heartfelt note reflecting on why he believes the singer has chosen to move away from playback singing.
“Met Arijit Singh backstage tonight before his surprise performance with Anoushka Shankar and I think I realised why he has chosen to stop playback singing (and perhaps go back to his classical roots) while releasing music independently,” Meghdut wrote.Describing Arijit’s demeanour offstage, he added, “He wasn’t in some bubble of fame. He walked in quietly, greeted Pt. Bikram Ghosh with that deep respect and humility you only see in true artists at the highest levels (went down on the ground to touch his feet in the guru shishya parampara), and spoke like someone still learning everyday. There was not an ounce of ego, just 100% authentic devotion to his craft.”Recalling the performance itself, Meghdut shared, “Then on stage he sang Maya Bhara Rati composed by Pt. Ravi Shankar with Anoushka, for one of the most alive audiences I’ve ever seen. Followed by some original collaborations that he seemed honestly proud of. No big screens. No fireworks. Just him and his guitar and an audience that was glued on to every note that he sang.”Linking this experience to Arijit’s recent career decision, he speculated, “Maybe that’s why he’s stepped away from playback and pandering to labels and their whims and fancies. He’s not done with music, he’s done with music being a machine. He wants to live it, chase it, shape it on his own terms. Far from quitting – that’s choosing art over algorithm, heart over hustle.”He concluded the post with a personal observation and said, “He lives between worlds, sometimes seen riding a scooty back home in Jiaganj like any ordinary person, and yet carries something that makes millions feel seen. That’s the real Arijit.”The note struck a chord with fans, many of whom echoed Meghdut’s sentiments in the comments. One user wrote, “And perhaps the true fans of Arijit, that includes me, would have always wanted this. He is certainly the biggest example that True Artists are humble. Your post was just one more testament to it.” Another commented, “Being in this crowd and witnessing every moment of what you pointed, truly resonated!”On January 27, Arijit had announced that he would no longer accept new playback singing assignments. However, he was quick to clarify his future with music, saying, “Just to be clear that I won’t stop making music.”
