Concertgoers at Anouska Shankar's event in Kolkata were thrilled by a live performance from singer Arijit Singh. This was his first appearance in the city after he declared his retirement from playback singing. Social media platforms were flooded with photos and videos of Arijit's performance, bringing joy to his fans. Music producer and entrepreneur Meghdut Roy Chowdhury, along with musician Bikram Ghosh, were seen in a photo with Arijit. Meghdut shared the image on Instagram, offering his perspective on Arijit's decision to step away from playback singing.
There was no trace of ego, only pure and genuine dedication.
In the caption, Meghdut mentioned, "I met Arijit Singh backstage this evening before his unexpected performance with Anoushka Shankar, and I believe I understood why he has decided to cease playback singing (and possibly return to his classical origins) while independently releasing music."
He mentioned, "He wasn't isolated by fame. He entered quietly, showing profound respect and humility to Pt. Bikram Ghosh, as true artists at the pinnacle do (he bowed to touch his feet in the guru-shishya tradition), and conversed like someone who learns daily. There wasn't a trace of ego, just pure, genuine dedication to his art."
The note stated, "He then performed Maya Bhara Rati, a composition by Pt. Ravi Shankar with Anoushka, for one of the most engaged audiences I've ever witnessed. This was followed by some original collaborations that he appeared genuinely proud of. There were no large screens or fireworks, just him with his guitar and an audience captivated by every note he sang."
He hasn't finished with music yet
Elaborating on Arijit's decision to stop playback singing, he remarked, "Perhaps that's why he's distanced himself from playback and catering to the demands of labels. He's not finished with music; he's finished with music as a mechanical process. He wants to experience it, pursue it, and mold it according to his own desires. It's not about quitting; it's about prioritizing art over algorithms, passion over pressure."
He remarked, "He exists between different realms, occasionally spotted riding a scooter back home in Jiaganj like any regular individual, yet possesses a quality that makes millions feel acknowledged. That's the true Arijit."
Many users concurred with the note and expressed their thoughts in the comments. One comment stated, "And maybe the genuine fans of Arijit, myself included, have always desired this. He undoubtedly exemplifies that true artists are modest. Your post was yet another proof of this." Another comment mentioned, "Being part of this crowd and experiencing every moment you highlighted truly resonated!"
On January 27, Arijit declared that he would cease accepting new projects as a playback singer, marking the conclusion of a 'wonderful' chapter. Nonetheless, Arijit emphasized that he would continue to create music. 'Just to be clear that I won't stop making music.'
Throughout the years, he has provided his vocals for numerous legendary songs, such as Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Raabta, Kesariya, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Tera Yaar Hoon Main, Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage, and Tum Kya Mile, among others.