Posted on 4 September 2025:
RAMPRAPANNA BHATTACHARYA | SITAR-SURBAHAR ARTIST | MUSICIAN | PERFORMER | TEACHER
Ramprapanna Bhattacharya: A Torchbearer of Sitar and Surbahar in Contemporary Indian Classical Music
WITH STRINGS STEEPED IN TRADITION AND A SOUL TUNED TO TIMELESS RAGAS, RENOWNED MUSICIAN RAMPRAPANNA BHATTACHARYA STANDS AMONG INDIA’S MOST DISTINGUISHED SITAR AND SURBAHAR EXPONENTS.
A torchbearer of tradition, a visionary of sound In the vast tapestry of Indian classical music, Ramprapanna Bhattacharya stands as a radiant thread—interweaving tradition, innovation and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
A distinguished sitar and surbahar artist, performer and teacher, Ramprapanna has spent over three decades sculpting a musical journey defined by depth, discipline, and devotion. His artistry has graced prestigious stages across the globe, including a celebrated performance for the Indian Embassy in the Philippines in 2019, marking India’s 70th Republic Day with a soul-stirring recital that captivated dignitaries and foreign delegates alike.
What sets Ramprapanna apart is not only his mastery of the sitar but his pioneering work with the surbahar—a majestic bass sitar rarely heard in contemporary concert circuits.
Through his acclaimed ‘Rare Raag Series on Surbahar’ and the evocative ‘RaagReel’ project, he brings to light lesser-known raags such as Sudh Malhar, Triveni and Anjani Todi, offering listeners a glimpse into the hidden gems of Hindustani music. These initiatives have sparked vibrant engagement across audiences and connoisseurs, reaffirming his role as a cultural custodian and innovator.
Balancing the rigors of academia, a successful corporate career with global giants like Oracle, TCS, Cognizant and Capgemini, alongside his musical pursuits, Ramprapanna exemplifies a rare synthesis of intellect and artistry. His journey is not just a testament to talent—it is a masterclass in perseverance, versatility and the timeless power of sound.
Sitar with Soul: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Journey from Kolkata to Global Resonance
Where tradition meets tenacity, a rare musical voice emerges. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya is not merely a sitarist—he is a devoted custodian of sound, whose artistry reflects over thirty years of unwavering dedication to the classical idiom. A striking presence in India’s musical landscape, Ramprapanna belongs to the illustrious Etawah Gharana, known for its lyrical depth and intricate gayaki ang.
Raised amidst the cultural richness of Kolkata and now settled in Hyderabad, his journey bridges geographies and generations, echoing the timeless spirit of Hindustani music. With a style that is both serious and soulful, he continues to carve a niche that honors tradition while embracing the evolving pulse of performance.
Legacy and Lineage: The Musical Mentorship Behind Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Artistry
Rooted in reverence, refined through rigour. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s journey as a sitarist is steeped in profound lineage and guided by masters whose names echo through the corridors of Indian classical music. His earliest and most intense tutelage came under his father, the veteran sitarist Sri Ram Udar Bhattacharya, whose nurturing laid the foundation for a life immersed in melody. This was further enriched by the mentorship of Late Pandit Kashinath Mukherjee—a revered disciple of both Ustad Vilayat Khan and Ustad Amir Khan—whose influence shaped Ramprapanna’s musical sensibilities with rare depth and nuance.
In his pursuit of excellence, Ramprapanna absorbed intricate compositions and rare ragas under the guidance of Pandit Arvind Parikh, and briefly trained with the late sitarist Sri Soumitra Lahiri during the formative years of his career. His musical vocabulary was further broadened by learning the fundamentals of tabla from Late Amiya Kumar Dutta, adding rhythmic precision to his melodic expression.
With countless performances at prestigious music festivals across India and abroad, Ramprapanna’s artistry has earned acclaim from connoisseurs, critics, and fellow musicians alike. Each recital is not merely a performance—it is a tribute to the legacy he carries, and the devotion with which he continues to shape his own voice.
Echoes of Excellence: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Celebrated Concert Legacy
Where every stage becomes a sanctum, and every note a timeless offering. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s musical journey is etched with landmark performances that have graced India’s most revered classical platforms.
From the hallowed ambience of The Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata to the spiritual resonance of Sri Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroha in Varanasi, his sitar has sung with precision, emotion and profound artistry. Applauded at the Indian International Center (IIC) in New Delhi, the National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi, his concerts have consistently drawn acclaim from connoisseurs and critics alike.
Further amplifying his legacy, HCL Concerts has featured Ramprapanna in several distinguished series—Maestros in Studio, Sound of Sargam, and Baithak—each capturing the depth and elegance of his musical expression. These releases not only document his virtuosity but also serve as enduring tributes to a performer whose art bridges tradition and contemporary resonance.
Accolades in Harmony: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Celebrated Laurels Across Borders
When devotion meets recognition, music becomes legacy. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s artistry has not only resonated with audiences but has also earned him distinguished honors across continents.
In 2012, his sensational sitar performance at the Banquet Hall of the Glasgow Hilton Hotel in Scotland was met with standing ovation and a special award—an international affirmation of his musical brilliance.
Back home, his journey has been adorned with accolades that reflect both promise and mastery: the prestigious Pandit A. Kanan Memorial Award, a National Scholarship in Sitar from the Government of India, and multiple first prizes at esteemed competitions including the Kolkata District Youth Festival and Inter Collegiate Music Competitions.
Each recognition is a testament to his unwavering dedication and the timeless beauty he brings to every string he touches.
Strings of Freedom: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Musical Voice in Poetry and Nationhood
When the sitar speaks, it carries both the soul of verse and the spirit of a nation. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s music transcends performance—it becomes emotion, memory and movement. His evocative sitar accompaniment to Bratati Bandopadhyay’s recitation of Joy Goswami’s “Bilayet er Sange Aka” has touched millions, weaving poetry and melody into a shared experience of longing and lyrical grace. The haunting strains of his sitar lent depth and resonance to Goswami’s verses, creating a moment that lives on in the hearts of listeners.
Further amplifying his role as a cultural ambassador, Ramprapanna composed, performed, and sang for Rang Swadheenta, a stirring dance ensemble presented by the Sangeet Natak Akademi on the occasion of India’s 76th Independence Day. Staged at the iconic Central Vista, India Gate, New Delhi, the performance was a vibrant tribute to freedom, unity and artistic expression—where his music became the heartbeat of a nation celebrating its legacy.
Bridging Generations: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Harmonious Dialogue with Tradition and Tomorrow
A mentor, a visionary, a voice that connects the past with the pulse of the present. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s contributions to Indian classical music extend far beyond the concert stage. Through the Indian Classical Music Circle (ICMC) initiative, he has curated and led interactive sessions with legendary maestros, senior practitioners, and emerging talents—creating a rare space for dialogue, learning, and collective growth. This initiative has earned heartfelt appreciation from the entire music fraternity, affirming his role as a cultural connector and catalyst.
His ongoing projects, Rare Raag Series on Surbahar and RaagReel, continue to receive vibrant responses from audiences and scholars alike.
These works spotlight lesser-known ragas through the majestic surbahar, offering listeners a deeper, more textured experience of Hindustani music’s vast emotional landscape.
Rooted in tradition yet open to innovation, Ramprapanna has also nurtured a global community of music students.
His teaching—marked by clarity, compassion and rigor—has shaped aspiring musicians across continents, ensuring that the sitar’s voice continues to resonate in new hearts and new homes.
Dialogues in Depth: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Intellectual Engagement with Indian Classical Music
Where scholarship meets sound, and pedagogy becomes performance. Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s musical journey is not confined to the stage—it flourishes equally in the realm of thought, dialogue and education.
His seminars, workshops and presentations have illuminated prestigious venues across India and the UK, including Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London, the Nishkam Center in Birmingham (for South Asian Arts–UK), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Jaipur Gunijan Sabha organized by the Ustad Imamuddin Khan Dagar Society, and Jnana Pravah in Varanasi.
Each engagement reflects his commitment to nurturing a deeper understanding of Indian classical music, bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary inquiry.
Further affirming his academic stature, Ramprapanna has served as a member of the Board of Studies for the Department of Music at a highly reputed Indian university—contributing to curriculum design and shaping the next generation of classical musicians.
His voice, both as a performer and pedagogue, continues to enrich the cultural and intellectual fabric of Indian music.
A Life in Harmony: Ramprapanna Bhattacharya’s Enduring Commitment to Sound and Scholarship
In every note he plays, a lifetime of learning resounds. Even amidst accolades and global recognition, Ramprapanna Bhattacharya remains, at heart, a devoted student of music—constantly collecting, preserving and documenting rare ragas and authentic bandishes that might otherwise fade into obscurity. His passion for archiving the intangible treasures of Hindustani tradition reflects a deep reverence for the art form and a visionary’s instinct to safeguard its future.
Equally remarkable is his ability to balance the rigors of academia, a thriving corporate career, and an uncompromising musical practice—a triad rarely sustained with such grace and integrity. Whether in boardrooms or baithaks, Ramprapanna’s journey is a testament to discipline, versatility and the quiet power of lifelong dedication.
His life continues to inspire, reminding us that true artistry is not confined to a stage—it is lived, nurtured and shared across every sphere of being.
