Born in 1975, Somabanti BAsu is the new face of Indian Classical Music. She is amongst those few women Sarod's player of this generation seeking new directions trough the misty labyrinth of this instrument of Persian origin.
Somabanti grew up in a family dedicated to music. Encourages by her elders, she picked up the Sarod at a very tender age under the tutelage of Sri Robi Laha, a disciple of Late PAndit Radhika Mohan Maitra. She was performing regularly in various local concerts where her renditions is a promising child artist drew the attention of music experts. Later she went through intensive training in the truest traditions of 'Guru-Shishya Parampara' under renowned maestro Ustad Ashis Khan and Smt Amina Parera (d/o Ustad Ali Akbar Khan) of the Maihar Gharina.
A Science graduate from Calcutta University she completed her post graduation in instrumental music with distinction from Rabindra Bharati Univesrity, Calcutta.
As an young artist, she participated in several prodigious music competitions and was adjuged the best performer in Dover Lane, Ravi Kächlu talent search, All India Radio and many others.
She was awarded the 'National Schlarship' by the Department of Human Ressource Developpment Govt. of India.
Somabanti has delighted the connoisseurs at Music Circles in India and abroad. She has been invited to perform in various cities of Europe. The accuracy and intensity of her performance has stunned the audience.
Somabanti bears the torch of the rich Mahar Gharama which has founded by late Ustad Baba Allaudin Khan Sahib. The Mahar Gharama has produced great maestros like Ustad Ali Akhbar Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Smt. Annapurni DEvi, Pandit V.G. Jog, Pandit Nikhil Bannerjee to name a few.
While being deeply embedded in her rich tradition, Somabanti absorbs other techniques and styles into her music. Her style cuts across borders, a post mordel 'glocal' attitude whiwh carmaks her generation.
She has been identified by eminent music critics as an artist of great potential. A perfectionist in the core she engages herself in relentless Sadhana as she continues to interpret the contemporary with the language of the Timeless .