Grammy-nominated Arooj Aftab releases 'Udhero Na', features sitarist Anoushka Shankar

Grammy-nominated artist Arooj Aftab has released her new song “Udhero Na,” a track off the Pakistani singer’s upcoming deluxe version of her 2021 LP Vulture Prince.

“Udhero Na,” which translates to “Please Undo,” features Anoushka Shankar — daughter of Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar and Norah Jones’ half-sister — on sitar.

Brooklyn-based Pakistani vocalist, music composer, and producer Aftab said of the track in a statement, “‘Udhero Na’ has been one of my dearest songs, written in 2005 and never released, played live on and off over the years. I’ve always held it close to my heart and am so happy to release it finally! It describes a very unique and fleeting emotional moment, a super underrated feeling. When the thought of someone from a very old and ‘passed’ relationship just pops into your head as you go about your present day to day.”

Aftab — the first-ever Pakistani woman nominated for a Grammy — is up for both Best New Artist and Best Global Music Performance at the 2022 ceremony.

Anoushka Shankar tweeted, "OUT TODAY! I’m thrilled to be featured on a new single by my friend the amazing @arooj_aftab released on @VerveRecords You can hear it in all the usual places and I hope it brings you some calm and peace today x."

OUT TODAY! I’m thrilled to be featured on a new single by my friend the amazing @arooj_aftab released on @VerveRecords
You can hear it in all the usual places and I hope it brings you some calm and peace today xhttps://t.co/NgoTSU5Pg6

— Anoushka Shankar (@ShankarAnoushka) March 18, 2022

Anoushka Shankar is a British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, film composer and activist. She was the youngest and first woman to receive a British House of Commons Shield; she has had 7 Grammy Awards nominations and was the first Indian musician to perform live and to serve as presenter at the ceremony. She performs across multiple genres and styles - classical and contemporary, acoustic and electronic.