ABOUT

Sougata Roy Chowdhury – Sarod Maestro | Educator | Cultural Visionary Sougata Roy Chowdhury is widely regarded as one of the most gifted and thoughtful Sarod artists of his generation — a musician whose artistry bridges deep tradition with contemporary relevance. Honored with the prestigious Aga Khan Music Award in 2019, he stands among a select group of global artists recognized for excellence in preserving and advancing classical music traditions. Born into a family steeped in Bengali artistic heritage, Sougata’s early years in Santiniketan immersed him in an environment where music, sculpture, and poetry flowed as naturally as breath. His father, Prof. Sarbari Roy Chowdhury — celebrated sculptor, music connoisseur, and custodian of one of India’s finest private collections of Indian classical recordings — instilled in him a reverence for sound as sacred architecture. His mother, Srimati Ajanta Roy Chowdhury, a distinguished vocalist of the Agra Gharana, nurtured his ear for melody, rhythm, and emotional depth from childhood. His formal training began under Ustad Dhyanesh Khan (son and disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan), whose guidance laid the foundation of his technique and tonal sensitivity. After Ustad Dhyanesh Khan’s untimely passing, Sougata continued his sadhana under Ustad Aashish Khan, while also absorbing invaluable insights during personal interactions with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan Sahib himself during the Maestro’s annual visits to Kolkata. He further refined his understanding of raga grammar and aesthetics under Pandit Santosh Bandyopadhyay (Sitar/Surbahar) for a long period of time, and later studied intensively with Padmashree Pandit Rajeev Taranath, whose mentorship elevated his interpretive depth and stage presence. At the core of Sougata’s music lies a profound devotion to the legacy of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan — not merely as a stylistic influence, but as a spiritual compass. His performances are marked by meditative stillness, architectural precision, and an almost devotional intensity — reflecting decades of disciplined practice and inner listening. Beyond the concert stage, Sougata is co-founder of the Sarbari Roy Chowdhury Foundation, established to honor his father’s visionary contribution to Indian arts. Through the Foundation, he actively mentors young musicians, curates festivals (including the annual Sarbari Roy Chowdhury Festival of Music in Kolkata), and fosters interdisciplinary dialogues between performing, visual, and fine arts — both in India and internationally. His performance calendar reflects his global reach: from the historic Dover Lane Music Conference (Kolkata) and Saptak Annual Music Festival (Ahmedabad), to major tours across Europe (France, Italy, Greece, Finland, Ireland) and the United States. Sougata Roy Chowdhury does not merely play the Sarod — he listens through it. And in that listening, he invites audiences into a space where time slows, silence speaks, and music becomes prayer.