Sayan Ghosh: A Maestro of Sitar and Surbahar
Sayan Ghosh is a renowned Hindustani classical musician, known for his expertise in the sitar and surbahar (bass sitar). Representing the prestigious Etawah-Imdadkhani Gharana, celebrated for its Gayaki Ang (vocative style of sitar playing), Sayan has carved a niche in the world of classical music with his modern yet authentic approach.
Early Life and Training
Hailing from a musical family in Kolkata, Sayan's initial foray into music began with vocal training in Rabindrasangeet under his mother Smt. Nilima Ghosh's guidance. This early exposure sparked his interest in the sitar, which he began studying formally at the age of 13 under Shri Ganesh Das, a disciple of Amiya Kanti Bhattacharyya and a grand disciple of Ustad Enayat Khan.
After Shri Ganesh Das’s demise in 2012, Sayan continued his training under Ustad Shahid Parvez. Inspired by legends like Ustad Vilayat Khan and Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Sayan embraced the rich traditions of his gharana while evolving his unique style.
Musical Style and Innovations
Sayan is celebrated for his innovative approach to classical music. He incorporates taans and todas into traditional bandishes, composes new bandishes in rare ragas, and adapts melodies from popular thumris and songs. His mastery of the Gayaki Ang is enhanced by influences from iconic vocalists like Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Abdul Karim Khan, and Ajay Chakraborty, whose styles he translates onto the sitar with remarkable finesse.
A hallmark of his creativity is the project "Tagore on Sitar" where he merges Rabindranath Tagore’s compositions with sitar melodies. This challenging endeavor combines the lyrical beauty of Tagore’s songs with the raaga-based intricacies of sitar music. Since 2022, Sayan has been teaching this unique fusion to his students.
Performances and Collaborations
Sayan Ghosh has performed in over 100 concerts across India and abroad, representing the Etawah–Imdadkhani Gharana with depth and versatility. He has successfully toured the United States four times, presenting solo and collaborative performances in a variety of prestigious settings.
He has performed at classical festivals, spiritual gatherings, royal events, and international cultural summits, captivating audiences with both sitar and surbahar.
National Performance Venues (India)
Dumdum, West Bengal
Belur Math, West Bengal
Tollygunge, West Bengal
LakeTown, West Bengal
Krishnanagar, West Bengal
Chuchura, West Bengal
Barrackpore, West Bengal
Pandua, West Bengal
Eden Garden, West Bengal (IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony with Shreya Ghoshal)
Delhi (Duet concert with Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan at Habitat Centre)
Agartala, Tripura (115th Birth Anniversary of Maharaja Bir Bikram in royal presence)
Mysore, Karnataka
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (Performed on surbahar at the G20 Cultural Summit - Sur Vasudha 2023)
Bangalore, Karnataka
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
International Performance Venues (USA)
Boone, North Carolina (First-ever sitar concert at Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone)
Raleigh, North Carolina
Apex, North Carolina
Morrisville, North Carolina
Silver City, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Carrboro, North Carolina
Buckingham County, Virginia
Austin, Texas
Houston, Texas (First-ever sitar concert at Tagore Society)
Dallas, Texas
Rochester, New York
Atlanta, Georgia
Collaboration Highlights
Featured as the sitarist in the devotional track "Hey Prabhu Hey Prabhu", sung by Bhajan Samrat Anup Jalota
Presented over 10 duet concerts with Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan (Hindustani classical vocal)
Presented more than 3 duet concerts with Vidwan N Mysore Srinath (Carnatic classical vocal)
Performed on surbahar at the G20 Cultural Summit - Sur Vasudha (2023), directed by Sourendra-Soumyajit, receiving a special mention from the Government of India
Shared stage with Shreya Ghoshal at the IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony at Eden Gardens
Contributions to Music Education
Founded in 2017 in Kolkata, the Sayan Ghosh Academy offers personalized sitar education rooted in tradition yet open to innovation. The academy currently operates two physical branches in Dumdum and Konnagar, providing one-on-one mentorship in a warm and student-friendly environment. Learners range in age from 3 to 80, reflecting Sayan’s vision of making classical music accessible to all.
In addition to offline instruction, the academy offers one-on-one and group online sitar classes, connecting students worldwide and ensuring global accessibility to his training.
His students come from across the globe, including: India, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Slovakia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Recognition and Other Endeavors
Sayan Ghosh’s talents extend beyond performance—he is also a gifted lyricist, music composer, and an active contributor to short films. His musical score in the Sanskrit Short Film Festival (ISSFF) earned him the Best Music Composer award, highlighting his ability to blend classical depth with contemporary storytelling.
He holds the prestigious title of Sangeet Visharad from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, India, reflecting his strong foundation in classical music education.
In 2022, he was honoured with the Nabodaya Sanmanana by the India–Bangladesh Cultural Council, acknowledging his contributions to cultural exchange and classical music traditions.
Through his creativity, dedication, and deep understanding of Hindustani classical music, Sayan continues to inspire students and audiences across the globe—preserving tradition while embracing innovation.
Read about music lineage/gharana (click here)
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