Posted on 10 April 2026:

Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury — Sarod Virtuoso and Cultural Mentor

Born into a distinguished musical lineage, Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury carries forward the legacy of his father, Sangeetacharya Late Anil Roy Chowdhury, an eminent sarod maestro and revered teacher of Indian Classical Instrumental Music in West Bengal. Rooted in tradition yet expansive in vision, Siddhartha has established himself as a composer, accompanist, and soloist, admired by classical music lovers across India and abroad.

Equally at ease with sitar, sarod, and tabla, his artistry has graced television, radio, and concert stages from Kolkata to international platforms. His performances resonate with depth and devotion, reflecting both technical mastery and creative imagination.

Beyond the stage, Siddhartha is a dedicated teacher, shaping future generations through his work at Vistar and the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture, Kolkata, where he has been teaching since 2001, alongside online mentorship. His journey embodies the timeless spirit of Indian classical music — a living tradition carried forward with passion, discipline, and grace.

Endowed with both heredity and environment, Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury began his musical journey under the guidance of his father, Sangeetacharya Late Anil Roy Chowdhury, and the legendary sarod maestro Pt. Radhika Mohan Maitra. His early training also included sitar and tabla, learning from Shri Samar Banerjee, a disciple of Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh and Ustad Shaukat Ali Khan, and later from Sangeetacharya Late Ajoy Sinha Roy.

Mentorship and Mastery

From the age of twelve, Siddhartha came under the close tutelage of Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra, who took personal responsibility for shaping his musical learning. Through this profound mentorship, Siddhartha absorbed not only the common techniques but also rare intricacies of Indian classical music, enriching his artistry with depth and nuance.

Today, Siddhartha stands as a distinguished composer, accompanist, and soloist, deeply admired by Indian classical music lovers in India and abroad. His performances embody a rare blend of tradition and individuality, carrying forward the timeless resonance of the sarod while expanding its horizons with creative imagination.

Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury — A Guru Shrestha of Indian Classical Music

Respected across the world, Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury has nurtured countless students of tabla, sitar, and sarod with love and care. His teaching embodies the essence of the guru-shishya parampara, blending traditional rigour with modern warmth, creating a bond that inspires both discipline and joy. Among his many accomplished disciples are Rajrupa Chowdhury, Debasish Ganguly, Soumitra Dasgupta, Avik Goswami, Ayush Chakraborty, Surjasis Sengupta, Prabahan Sur, Wrijiswan Mukherjee, Sarthak Karmakar, Swarnava Karmakar, and Pallavi Nandi — each carrying forward his vision with excellence.

Global Footprints

Siddhartha’s artistry has resonated far beyond India. From his early tours with Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra as part of the Government of India’s cultural delegation to the Philippines and Hong Kong in 1980, to performances in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, USSR, UK, and USA, his music has been acclaimed by audiences and press alike. His lectures and demonstrations at schools and universities abroad have enriched cultural understanding, while his ensemble of students has represented India at prestigious events such as the North American Bengali Conferences in New York (1995) and Philadelphia (1997).

Recent Engagements and Honours

Continuing to inspire, Siddhartha has led Hindustani classical programmes at Assam Valley School (2015), Banaras Hindu University (2017), IIT Kharagpur (2019), and Banaras’ Subah-e-Banaras and Namo Ghat series (from 2022), alongside tours to Australia in 2010 and 2016. In recognition of his dedication, he was honoured with the Guru Shrestha Award by Chelanka Music and Academy, Kerala, in 2018. Many of his students have also received esteemed government scholarships, including those from the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT).

A Living Tradition

As performer, composer, and examiner at Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, Siddhartha Roy Chowdhury continues to shape the future of Indian classical music. His journey reflects not only mastery of sarod and allied instruments but also a lifelong mission — to preserve, expand and share the timeless resonance of India’s musical heritage with generations to come.