Anoushka Shankar’s latest track, Hiraeth, has mesmerized listeners with its themes of hope, longing, and belonging. Co-written with Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar, the song is part of her trilogy Chapter III: We Return to Light.
Anoushka Shankar’s Hiraeth blends hope and longing in a soul-stirring melody, marking the finale of her trilogy, Chapter III: We Return to Light.
Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar has once again captivated audiences with her latest track, Hiraeth. Released over a week ago, the song—co-written with Alam Khan and Sarathy Korwar—beautifully explores themes of hope, longing, and belonging. The response from listeners has been overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising its emotional depth and evocative soundscapes.
Taking to social media to reflect on the release, the 11-time Grammy nominee shared a heartfelt note explaining the song’s meaning and its place within her musical journey. “Hiraeth is a beautiful Welsh word describing a longing for a place or a person; it marks the third and final installment of my trilogy of mini-albums, Chapter III: We Return to Light,” she wrote. She added, “It feels ironic that this chapter, meant to be the optimistic ending to a dark journey, was released during such a strange, worrying week. But maybe that’s not ironic at all—maybe this is when we most need to cling to hope.”
The emotional resonance of Hiraeth has clearly struck a chord with listeners. Fans flooded the song’s comment section with praise, describing it as “soul-stirring” and “exceptionally beautiful.” One user wrote, “Dragged me to another dimension and brought me back to earth,” while another commented, “It is divine… I’m dancing in my mind while listening to it.”
A Celebration of Musical Legacy
The release of Hiraeth also coincides with a milestone in Anoushka Shankar’s career as she celebrates 30 years of redefining Indian classical music on the global stage. To mark the occasion, the sitarist hosted a listening party in India, offering fans and media a sneak peek into her upcoming album Chapter III: We Return to Light. The event was met with enthusiastic applause, with attendees lauding both the album’s artistry and Shankar’s unparalleled sitar prowess.
Looking ahead, Anoushka Shankar is preparing for a busy schedule in 2025. She will embark on a U.S. tour in March, followed by an India tour in December, as she continues to expand her global footprint and bring her unique blend of Indian classical and contemporary music to audiences worldwide.
