Kamal Ghorui
Singer Arijit Singh performed his first live show in Kolkata just days after announcing his decision to step away from playback singing. Several videos and photographs from the concert, held on Sunday at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, surfaced on social media, showing the singer sharing the stage with sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar.In one of the widely circulated clips, Anoushka welcomed Arijit on stage to thunderous applause from the audience. Addressing the crowd, Arijit admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the moment, saying, “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me.”
A classical collaboration rooted in legacy
During the evening, Arijit joined Anoushka and percussionist Bickram Ghosh to perform Maya Bhora Raati, a Bengali composition originally sung by Lakshmi Shankar and composed by the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. The performance was met with loud cheers, with fans appreciating the blend of classical and contemporary sensibilities.Arijit also spoke about visiting Anoushka at her home, where the two musicians reportedly worked together on composing a song, hinting at a deeper creative collaboration beyond the stage.Adding another highlight to the evening, Arijit and Anoushka performed a duet version of Traces of You, originally composed by Anoushka and sung by Norah Jones. The rendition further showcased Arijit’s versatility as he seamlessly adapted to the song’s global, experimental soundscape.
Arijit’s playback chapter comes to a close
On January 27, Arijit had announced that he would no longer be taking up new assignments as a playback vocalist, calling time on what he described as a “wonderful” journey. In a heartfelt message shared with fans on social media, he expressed gratitude for the love and support he has received over the years, stating that the decision came from a place of fulfilment rather than regret.
A collaboration that turns heads
Meanwhile, Arijit has also teamed up with actress-singer Iulia Vantur for a new track titled Echoes of Us. The collaboration has drawn attention given Arijit’s past differences with Salman Khan, a close friend of Iulia. However, those issues were resolved years ago, with Salman later acknowledging that the rift stemmed from a misunderstanding.
