Just days after declaring his decision to step away from Bollywood playback singing, Arijit Singh surprised fans by returning to the stage — not in a film studio, but at a live concert in Kolkata. The singer joined Anoushka Shankar during her performance, marking his first public appearance since the January 27 announcement.
What unfolded was far more than a guest act. As Arijit and Anoushka shared the stage, the moment became a meeting of musical lineages, emotional intent and artistic conviction. It was intimate, symbolic and quietly defiant — a reminder of music beyond commerce.
The collaboration gained further gravitas with the presence of celebrated percussionist Bickram Ghosh. Together, they performed Maya Bhora Raati, a rarely heard Bengali composition deeply rooted in classical tradition. The piece, long associated with the legacy of Pandit Ravi Shankar, transformed the concert into a moment of cultural memory rather than spectacle.
Anoushka Shankar welcomed Arijit Singh?
Anoushka Shankar, a sitar maestro, surprised the crowded Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata last night by inviting Arijit Singh to take the stage as her special guest for the evening. Arijit and Anoushka sang a version of Maya Bhora Raati, a Bengali song written by Pandit Ravi Shankar and originally sung by Lakshmi Shankar, throughout the concert.
About the live concert of Arijit Singh and Anoushka Shankar
One of India’s most prominent playback singers, Arijit Singh, is renowned for having a foundation in classical and semi-classical music. In addition to being a global ambassador for Indian classical music, Anoushka Shankar is a composer and sitar virtuoso.
She is also the daughter and student of Pandit Ravi Shankar, the mastermind who revolutionized the way Indian music communicated with the outside world. The crowd in Kolkata described their collaboration as both amazing and inevitable.
Arijit Singh’s performance of Maya Bhora Raati in Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium solidified his reputation as a musician who is profoundly aware of India’s literary and classical traditions, going beyond his status as a playback star.
Maya Bhora Raati and the Ravi Shankar connection?
At the heart of the collaboration was Maya Bhora Raati, a rarely performed Bengali gem. The timeless composition was created by legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and was originally rendered by Lakshmi Shankar, his sister-in-law. Deeply anchored in the Hindustani classical tradition, the piece is known for its meditative structure and its close association with the sitar. The lyrics were penned by another stalwart, Shyamal Gupta. The composition demands a rare equilibrium between nuanced classical improvisation and lyrical restraint — a balance that Ravi Shankar shaped with quiet mastery.
Netizens react to the duo live concert
Soon after, social media users were in awe of Arijit’s talent as videos from the event went viral. One such fan wrote, “What a soulful singer he is!!! Once in a generation!!,” whereas another said, “Arijit Singh is Like, “Enough For Bollywood, Now Only For Roots”.” An internet user mentioned, “This is what arijit is all about …pure talent,” whereas a comment says, “He glows differently as individual artist.” Meanwhile, a netizen also stated, “And he’s showing his true range now. What a talent.”
