Strings & Rhythms – Music of the Ragas

This program is a journey into the world of Hindustani classical music, the North Indian classical tradition, performed on the sarod with live tabla accompaniment. The sarod’s deep, resonant tone captures both meditative stillness and vibrant rhythmic energy, carrying the heritage of the Indian subcontinent while speaking directly to the present moment.

Tonight’s music comes from the rich tradition of Hindustani classical music, which has flourished in the Indian subcontinent for centuries. Rooted in the ancient systems of raga (melody) and tala (rhythm), this tradition developed in temples, courts, and gatherings, where music was not just entertainment but a spiritual and communal experience. The sarod itself traces its lineage back to instruments like the rabab, evolving into its present form in the 19th century as one of the principal voices of North Indian classical music.

I began my journey in the Shahjahanpur Gharana with Late Jayanta Roychowdhury, and for over 25 years I have trained in the Maihar Gharana under Pt. Alok Lahiri—a school shaped by Ustad Allauddin Khan, who brought together diverse influences to form a modern, expansive approach to Indian music. This commitment to musical lineage connects every performance to a larger story: one of teachers and students passing on knowledge, of traditions adapting to new times, and of music continuing to bring communities together across generations.

The sarod is one of the most nuanced and rarely heard instruments in Indian classical music. In Souryadeep Bhattacharyya’s hands, it becomes deeply personal — music that invites you to slow down, listen, and feel.

An empaneled artist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an All India Radio graded permanent artist, and an All India Gold Medalist in Instrumental Music, his musical lineage flows through Pt. Alok Lahiri of the Maihar gharana, one of India’s most revered sarod maestros, and Sri Abhisek Lahiri, his Gurudada.

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"His music is fluid, like cascading water rising to a crescendo as it swirls around rocks, seeking a more serene cadence when it slows to a gentle flow before plunging over a cliff in free falling melody." - Khabar Magazine

This unbroken thread of tradition forms the foundation of his music — deep classical grounding in dialogue with personal, present-moment expression. This balance defines his artistic ethos: rooted tradition, living expression. His performances move between the meditative depth of classical raga, the lyrical warmth of semi-classical and folk forms, and contemporary collaborations that bring new textures into dialogue with tradition.

"His innovative approach and passion for the sarod have positioned him as a key ambassador of Hindustani classical music on the international stage." — CusicaPlus

Through every performance, Souryadeep uses the sarod as a means of connection — offering listeners stillness, emotional resonance, and a shared human experience through sound.

Small Mic stands with 2 microphones (SM-57 or better) a carpet for sitting for 2 people and a mic for speaking, along with a monitor to listen to the sound are my requirements