Renowned Indian singer Arijit Singh performed in Kolkata alongside sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar just a week after announcing his retirement from playback singing.

According to Indian media reports, during his first performance since the retirement announcement, Arijit admitted that he was feeling quite nervous. However, the warm applause and encouragement from the audience quickly put him at ease.

Arijit Singh delivered a memorable 20-minute performance with Anoushka Shankar and renowned percussionist Bikram Ghosh, which soon went viral on social media. In a circulating video, when Anoushka invited Arijit onto the stage, he humbly addressed the audience, saying he was very nervous and thanked them for inviting him.

— Arijit singh (@Semranrass1) February 8, 2026

The highlight of the evening came when the trio performed “Maya Bhora Raat,” a Bengali composition originally created by the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Reflecting on the performance, Anoushka Shankar expressed her joy on Instagram. She said it was a deeply special moment for her to see Arijit Singh bring her father’s Bengali composition to life, calling it a truly unforgettable experience.

It is worth noting that Arijit Singh announced his decision to step away from playback singing on January 27. In a social media post, he thanked his fans for their unwavering support over the years, described his journey in film music as extraordinary, and stated that the decision was made after deep reflection.