Arijit Singh stuns fans with first live performance since retirement

Kolkata witnessed an unforgettable musical moment when Arijit Singh surprised fans with his first public performance since announcing his retirement from playback singing . The celebrated vocalist joined sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar and tabla virtuoso Bickram Ghosh on stage at the packed Netaji Indoor Stadium, turning what began as a sold-out concert into a historic night of music that trended on social media within minutes.

As Anoushka Shankar welcomed him with thunderous applause, Arijit took the microphone and candidly admitted, “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me,” a rare moment of vulnerability from the usually composed star that instantly endeared him to the crowd.

The trio opened with a soulful rendition of Maya Bhora Raati , a Bengali composition originally sung by Lakshmi Shankar and composed by the legendary sitarist Pandit Ravi Shankar . The performance blended classical roots with Arijit’s emotive voice, capturing the audience in a spellbound atmosphere that lasted for an extended 20‑minute set.

Beyond the highlight song, Arijit and Anoushka also performed a duet version of Traces of You , a haunting piece originally created by Anoushka and previously sung with Norah Jones, showcasing Arijit’s versatility across genres and his ability to adapt to global soundscapes while maintaining emotional depth.

The evening’s energy spilled onto social platforms, where fans shared videos and reactions. Many described the moment as “pure talent” and “godly,” with some expressing emotional nostalgia at hearing Arijit live again after his retirement announcement. One fan commented that the experience felt “happy and heartbroken at the same time,” underscoring the bittersweet blend of joy and longing that marked the night.

Anoushka Shankar later posted concert clips on Instagram, expressing how deeply special it was to hear Arijit bring her father’s rarely performed Bengali song to life and to share new music with the Kolkata audience.

The concert also offered hints of a broader creative partnership. Arijit spoke about visiting Anoushka at her home in London where they collaborated on composing new music together, suggesting that this might be the first of several artistic projects outside mainstream film music .

Arijit’s retirement announcement on January 27 had sent waves through the music industry and among fans, many of whom had been startled by his decision to stop taking on new playback assignments while affirming that he would continue making music in his own way. In his heartfelt message, he described his years in Bollywood as a “wonderful journey” and hinted that his future work would lean more toward independent and original creation rather than commercial demands.

Rather than marking an end, his Kolkata performance felt like a rebirth of Arijit the musician , a humble, experimental artist eager to explore deeper musical landscapes while still honoring the classics that helped shape his artistry. With fans already buzzing and social reactions pouring in, this surprise night in Kolkata might well be remembered as the opening chapter of his next creative era.