Arijit Singh Returns To The Stage In Kolkata With Anoushka Shankar Days After Playback Singing Announcement

Kolkata witnessed a rare and emotionally charged musical moment as Arijit Singh made a surprise return to the live stage, joining sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar and percussionist Bickram Ghosh for a special performance in the city. The appearance came just days after reports of Singh announcing his decision to step away from playback singing, making the collaboration all the more significant.

The performance unfolded as a seamless confluence of classical and contemporary sensibilities, with Anoushka Shankar’s evocative sitar lines anchoring the evening, complemented by Ghosh’s nuanced percussion. Singh, known for his deeply emotive vocal delivery, added a distinctive layer to the set, marking his first live performance since the announcement.

Held in Kolkata,Singh’s home city,the moment carried added emotional weight for audiences, many of whom viewed the appearance as a homecoming rather than a comeback. Videos and images from the performance quickly gained traction on social media, drawing widespread attention and sparking conversations around the singer’s evolving artistic journey.

While Arijit Singh has been synonymous with Bollywood playback singing for over a decade, his recent announcement has prompted speculation about a possible shift towards live performance, independent music, and more collaborative, genre-spanning projects. The Kolkata performance appeared to reinforce that narrative, spotlighting his interest in music beyond the conventional film format.

Neither Singh nor his team have issued further clarification on his future plans, but the evening’s performance suggested that while playback may no longer be his primary focus, his presence as a live artist remains very much alive.

For fans and the music industry alike, the collaboration served as a reminder that some artistic journeys don’t end,they simply change direction.