Posted on 4 April 2026

Mita Nag – Celebrated Sitarist, Surbahar Virtuoso and Torchbearer of the Bishnupur Gharana

Renowned sitarist Mita Nag, the radiant torchbearer of the prestigious Bishnupur Gharana, carries within her music the luminous legacy of three generations—her grandfather, Sangeet Acharya Gokul Nag, her legendary father, Padmashri Pandit Manilal Nag and the nurturing guidance of her mother, herself a gifted sitarist. 

Beginning her journey at the tender age of four, she has blossomed into a rare voice of tradition and innovation, recently establishing herself as a distinguished lady Surbahar player, embodying the instrumental dhrupad style of her gharana. Inspired by the legendary Annapurna Devi, daughter and disciple of Baba Alauddin, her artistry resonates with depth, devotion and timeless grace.

Her performances across India, the US, Canada, England, Japan and Europe have drawn overwhelming admiration, whether in duets with maestros such as Janab Hassan Haider, Pandit Parthasarathi and Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya, or in her solo recitals.

At the tender age of ten, Mita Nag stepped into the limelight with a debut at Mahajati Sadan, Kolkata, and a performance on Doordarshan that marked the beginning of a luminous journey. That same year, 1979, she was honored with the National Talent Search Scholarship—a distinction that foreshadowed the many accolades to follow, including the Ranadhir Roy Memorial Award, the Best Kalkar Award, and the Jyotsna Award from Chhandayan, USA. Rooted deeply in her Gharana and carrying forward the legacy of her father, Pandit Manilal Nag, she has remained steadfast in her devotion to tradition while infusing her music with melody, depth and emotional exuberance. 

Today, she enriches the cultural landscape not only through her artistry but also as a mentor, guiding students with workshops, seminars and lecture-demonstrations.

As founder of the Gokul Nag Memorial Foundation, she safeguards and promotes the rich heritage of Indian classical music, while her academic brilliance—holding a Master’s and M. Phil in English from the University of Kolkata—adds yet another dimension to her luminous persona.

THROUGH EVERY NOTE SHE PLAYS, MITA NAG NOT ONLY HONORS THE LUMINOUS LEGACY OF HER GHARANA BUT ALSO ENSURES THAT THE TIMELESS SPIRIT OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC CONTINUES TO FLOURISH FOR GENERATIONS YET TO COME.