Arijit Singh made an impromptu appearance in Kolkata on February 8, 2026 and performed his first live concert in almost four years since he publicly announced he was no longer performing playback singing (as of January 27). Unlike his past performances, this performance was held in an intimate environment—the Netaji Indoor Stadium. Not only did Arijit perform by himself, but he also collaborated with sitarist Anoushka Shankar, who helped generate incredible excitement over social media by both artists.
It was very emotional for fans to see Arijit Singh perform since he had previously retired from movie music. However, to see him perform live at that moment confirmed to his fans that he had not lost touch with them.
Singer-songwriter Arijit Singh joined Anoushka Shankar and Bickram Ghosh for a performance at Netaji Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
— My.Kolkata (@TT_My_Kolkata) February 9, 2026
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A Blending of Traditional With Modern
The first part of the show was a 20-minute collaborative set that featured a blending of Hindustani classical (traditional) musical styles with modern influences. The first song was called “Maya Bhora Raati”, which was originally sung by Lakshmi Shankar and composed by Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Arijit was accompanied by the famous drummer Bickram Ghosh on this piece.
Anoushka and Arijit followed with a song titled “Traces of You”—a hauntingly beautiful song from Anoushka’s collaboration with Norah Jones. The audience was amazed by the combination of Anoushka’s emotive playing of the sitar along with Arijit’s controlled yet effective singing, which resulted in several standing ovations.
Behind the Scenes: A Personal Collaboration
Arijit shared that prior to the performance, he worked together with Anoushka Shankar, in her residence in London, as a way to build chemistry and connections, prior to performing together, giving a cohesive feel to the entire performance due to their collaboration, allowing for seamless transitions between songs and emotional elements throughout the performance as well.
Despite being one of the world’s most popular singers, Arijit was overcome by emotions during his performance, openly stating to the audience, “I’m very nervous. Thank you so much for your support,” which showed his humility and only increased the admiration that the audience had for him.
Fans React: Joy Mixed With Heartbreak
Clips and images from that night went viral almost immediately after being posted on social media, with fans stating that the performance was “goosebumps guaranteed” and “the best surprise EVER.” Several fans expressed that they were feeling both joyful and saddened about the performance, due to the fact that they will no longer have the opportunity to see Arijit Singh perform live again, while at the same time being extremely grateful to have been able to witness such a beautiful performance. One fan expressed it perfectly: “I’m so emotional–happy and heartbroken!”
Summary
Arijit Singh’s rare live appearance with Anoushka Shankar in Kolkata became an unforgettable musical moment, proving that even after stepping away from playback singing, his voice and artistry continue to move millions.
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