Shri Subrata De: The Sitar Maestro and Cultural Ambassador of India

Eminent sitarist Shri Subrata De stands as a radiant cultural ambassador of India, carrying the resonance of his art across more than forty countries. A panelist of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and an A‑graded artist of AIR Doordarshan, he is also empanelled with Spic Macay, FOI Cell, Ministry of Culture, ICCR, and Zonal Cultural Centres. His presence as visiting faculty in universities reflects his devotion to nurturing the next generation of musicians.

In 2000, he founded Swaranjali, Delhi, an organisation that has, for twenty‑five years, dedicated itself to the promotion of arts and artists. Through Swaranjali, Subrata has created a vibrant platform where tradition and innovation meet, sustaining the cultural heartbeat of India. His albums—Meditation, Ganga, and Panchatatwa—and his pioneering compositions of new rāgas such as Lata, Ataal, Shikhashree, and Jogiya Ranjani reveal his creative spirit and devotion to expanding the horizons of Hindustani music. His creative journey continues with the release of Daugavas Raaga, a unique musical project uniting two distinct musical cultures of Daugava region and classical Hindustani raga music, in Latvia in 2025.

His artistry flows through numerous recordings, from Meditation de la India in Peru to Ganga – Journey Called Life by HMV‑Saregama, now streaming globally on platforms like Spotify, Saavn, Gaana, and Hungama.

Rooted in a family where music is revered as worship, Shri Subrata De’s journey carries the fragrance of devotion and discipline. His father, Shri Bhutnath De, a distinguished Hindustani vocalist, continues to inspire at the age of eighty‑four, recently offering the world his book Swaranjali—a living testament to his lifelong dedication to music, lovingly edited by his son.

From the tender age of seven, Shri Subrata De’s journey was nurtured by the guidance of Shri Amarjeet Singh, **later refined by the wisdom of late Shri Bauri Bandhu Sethi, and ultimately blossomed under the tutelage of sitar maestro Pandit Manilal Nag of the Bishnupur *Gharana.***

Reflecting on his path, he shares: “My parents are the real inspiration to be a good human being and a Sevak of Indian Classical Music. I am Ekalavya Shishya of sitar maestro Pandit Nikhil Banerjee.” — words that reveal both his humility and his devotion to the timeless tradition he carries forward.

Through this lineage, he mastered the profound styles of Dhrupad, Gayaki, Tankaari, Alaapang and Gatkaari, establishing himself not merely as a sitarist, but as a custodian of tradition whose music resonates with both heritage and innovation.

Global Maestro of the Sitar: Bridging Traditions Across Continents

Honoured with the Sangeet Praveen by Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, and recipient of the National Scholarship from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Shri Subrata De has carved a luminous path as both musician and teacher, serving on the panel of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

A sought after artist across the globe, he has graced prestigious festivals in more than forty countries—from Switzerland and Finland to Cuba, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia—spreading the fragrance of Indian classical music to diverse audiences. He fondly recalls the warmth of Martinique, where his performance marked the return of an Indian musician after two centuries. His creative journey continues with the release of Daugavas Raaga in Latvia in 2025, alongside memorable performances across the Canary Islands—each note a testament to his role as a cultural envoy weaving India’s musical spirit into the world’s tapestry.

As a soloist and accompanist, he has nurtured the spirit of tradition in rural India and abroad, collaborating with eminent dancers and leading organizations.

His creative ventures include projects like Flamenco India with Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura, jazz collaborations in Martinique, and fusion with world aquatics ensembles. Associated with All India Radio since 1990 and chosen by Sahitya Kala Parishad for Yuva Mahotsav 98, he also served as sitar teacher and performer at ICC Bangkok under ICCR from 2009 to 2011.

Today, Shri Subrata De shines as one of India’s most accomplished sitarists—an artist whose music bridges devotion and innovation, and whose life’s work embodies the timeless spirit of cultural ambassadorship.

Please visit the link below to read the story on the distinguished Hindustani vocalist Shri Bhutnath De, who at eighty‑four continues to inspire, offering the world his book Swaranjali, published in Yathraemagazine: CLICK HERE

Shri Subrata De’s music shines as India’s voice to the world.

Images: Subrata De