1 March 2025/

PARTHA PRATIM ROY: A LUMINARY OF THE SITAR

Partha Pratim Roy, an eminent sitarist and composer, embodies the triumph of passion and perseverance in the world of Indian classical music. Despite not coming from a musically inclined family, his relentless love for music led him to train under illustrious Gurus like Pandit Debiprasad Chatterjee, a disciple of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, and other veterans of the Maihar School.

His mastery of rhythm and melody is a result of dedicated training from maestros such as Pandit Anil Palit, Pandit Partha Chatterjee, late Sangitacharya Ajay Sinha Roy and many others.

FROM CAPTIVATING AN AUDIENCE OF ONE LAKH AT THE YOUTH FESTIVAL, CALCUTTA, IN 1978 TO DELIVERING AN UNFORGETTABLE THREE-HOUR RECITAL AT THE MAX MULLER BHAVAN IN 1980, PARTHA’S PERFORMANCES HAVE LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON MUSIC LOVERS. HIS JOURNEY IS A CELEBRATION OF TALENT, RESILIENCE AND THE TIMELESS BEAUTY OF THE SITAR.

A MELODY WOVEN THROUGH THE YEARS

Partha Pratim Roy’s journey as a solo performer is adorned with remarkable milestones in some of the most prestigious music festivals and conferences. From the soulful renditions at Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in 2019 to captivating audiences at the Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav in Hubli in 2024, his artistry continues to shine bright. His spellbinding performances graced the Dover Lane Music Conference the same year, leaving an indelible mark. Notably, in 2012, his talent was celebrated at the Sangeet Natak – Rasavikalpam Festival in Trichur and the Soorya Festival in Trivandrum.

Throughout his illustrious career, Partha Pratim Roy’s performances have enriched platforms such as the Lakshmi Narain Rag Sabha in Amritsar (2019), Bharat Bhavan in Kerala (2015 and 2016), and iconic venues like the India Habitat Centre in Delhi. He has mesmerized audiences during the Ramakrishna Mission Malhar Utsav in Kolkata and Lucknow, and captivated hearts at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai and Saptak Antarnaad series in Ahmedabad. He also made his mark globally, performing at the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi organized by EZCC in Ranchi in 2018. Whether it was the Benares Music Festival, the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at Ramakrishna Math in Lucknow, or the Naad Brahma National Seminar of Music in Lucknow, his artistry reverberated across the nation.

A GLOBAL MAESTRO

Beyond India, Partha Pratim Roy’s music resonates across continents. Since 1996, he has enthralled audiences in countries like Bangladesh, Spain, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Japan, Norway, and France. His magical performances have left footprints in every corner of the globe. His talent has been celebrated by international platforms, with interviews and features on Catalunya Radio, Washington Bangla Radio, and Unity Radio UK, among others. Television channels like California TV (USA), Albrez Television (Spain) and Prerona TV (Ontario) have also showcased his live performances.

Partha Pratim Roy‘s music knows no boundaries. Radio stations like Wolverhampton City Radio in the UK and Radio ARA in Luxembourg have broadcast his mesmerizing performances, spreading his soulful melodies far and wide. With every note, he continues to touch lives and inspire music lovers across the globe.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC

Partha Pratim Roy’s achievements in the world of music have been recognized through a series of prestigious awards over the decades. His journey began with the Best Instrumentalist Award from IIT (Madras) in 1987, setting the tone for a lifetime of excellence. In 2012, he was honored with the Pride of Region, Sangeet Gaurav Award by the Award Council of India, further cementing his position as a maestro.

In recent years, Partha Pratim Roy has continued to earn accolades for his remarkable contributions. He received the Savyasachi Award in 2020 from HCL Research and the Sangeet Sadhak Samman by Sangeetacharya Bhagwan Das Smriti Samaroh. That same year, he was honored with the Pandit Nikhil Banerjee Smriti Samman Puraskar by Wonders India and the Sarasri Samman from Sriparna Music Foundation. His efforts culminated in a Lifetime Achievement Award from Goonje Tarana, celebrating his enduring impact.

INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Partha Pratim Roy’s influence stretches beyond borders, as shown by the Sammana Sanad from the International Virtual Classical Music Festival in Dhaka. Additionally, he has been recognized at home with the Sangeet Nandan Award from Suranandan Bharati and the Banga Gaurav Samman in 2022. These honors highlight his tireless dedication to enriching the world of music.

A PILLAR IN THE CULTURAL WORLD

Partha Pratim Roy’s contributions to the arts are manifold. He serves as a member of the Judges panel (regional) with the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in New Delhi under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He is also an empanelled artist with the Government of West Bengal, Spicmacay, and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), showcasing his deep connection with India’s cultural heritage.

Partha Pratim Roy’s expertise extends beyond performance. As an A-grade registered composer with the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS) in Mumbai and a life member of the Calcutta Cine Musicians Association (CCMA), he plays a crucial role in promoting and preserving music. Additionally, he is a solo sitarist for All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan, bringing classical music to audiences far and wide.

EDUCATOR AND MENTOR

Beyond the stage, Partha Pratim Roy has shared his wisdom through lecture demonstrations at universities in Europe, Dhaka University, and Dayalbagh University in Agra. His workshop demonstrations with Spicmacay at Rajasthan and Bihar reflect his commitment to educating and inspiring the next generation of music enthusiasts.

Partha Pratim Roy seamlessly blends academic brilliance and artistic mastery. With a postgraduate degree in Economics from the University of Calcutta, alongside esteemed musical qualifications such as Sangeet Visharad and Sangeet Probar, he embodies the perfect fusion of intellect and creativity.