Soumik Datta

Soumik Datta

Winner of the Aga Khan Award for Music, Soumik Datta is a visionary musician with the ability to cross boundaries, cultures and art forms. A sarod virtuoso, composer, TV presenter and Artistic Director of the Soumik Datta Arts charity, his work embraces traditional and contemporary art forms to address the urgent issues of our times.

“Hailed as one of the most exciting musicians of his generation, Soumik Datta’s musical universe is as expansive as it is fearless” - Tapestry Festival 2025

A student of the maestro Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta, Soumik is acclaimed for extending the reach of the sarod, collaborating with artists from disparate global traditions including - Beyonce, Jay-Z, Nitin Sawhney, Akram Khan, Anoushka Shankar, Arijit Singh, BBC Singers and Philharmonia Orchestra.

Described by Vogue as ‘one of the biggest music talents in Britain’, Soumik was awarded the status of Honorary Fellow by Trinity Laban. In May 2025 Soumik won both the Eastern Eye ACTA award for Music and the Indian Global Forum award for Distinctive Contribution to Music.
Soumik’s latest production ‘Travellers’ is a sonic journey that layers field recordings and immersive sound design with a virtuosic band to transport audiences across the invisible borders that divide land, places and people.
Woven through the music, we hear the cries of refugees being deported and the plea of news reporters in Gaza. The sound of missiles echo across the speakers and through the din emerges the voice of Oppenheimer, gently underscored by the sarod. Inspired by personal and collective experiences at airports and borders, Travellers offers audiences a powerful, timely reflection on our interconnected lives, across generations, timezones and continents.
“People at our age have seen everything, have done everything and you reach a point when you feel nothing more is possible. And then an artist comes and brings back hope. I’m deeply moved…”
Shabana Azmi - Actor, National Film Award Winner & Activist
In September 2025 Soumik embarks on the ‘Melodies in Slow Motion’ Tour, a seven month journey of discovery across India that redefines the idea of a musical performance.
Soumik will bring his music not just to concert halls, but to intimate and meaningful spaces: to homes, heritage sites, juvenile centres, national borders and schools, interacting with marginalised communities that often go unheard.
This tour is rooted in the belief that music isn't just entertainment to be consumed; it's a fundamental part of our human experience, a tool for connection, peace and healing. Through these gentle, immersive sharings, Soumik hopes to show that the most powerful music isn't found in the spotlight, but in the quiet moments shared between everyday people in everyday spaces.
In 2022, to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence, Soumik was commissioned by BBC Singers to compose a new score for choir and sarod titled ‘Awaaz’ - or 'voice' in Urdu. Responding to the climate crisis, Soumik directed and scored ‘Songs of the Earth’ an award-winning animation film. which premiered at the UN climate conference (COP26) and at No.10 Downing Street.

As a television presenter, Soumik presented 'Rhythms of India' a BBC 4 series exploring the classical, folk and contemporary music of India. Previously, Soumik and his brother Souvid Datta (filmmaker) directed 'Tuning 2 You' a six part series for Channel 4 filming the stories of under-represented musicians from rural India.

“One of the biggest music talents in Britain” - Vogue
“Rooted in tradition and yet unafraid to challenge it” - Desi Blitz

Through his charity, Soumik Datta Arts, Soumik produced ‘Hope Notes’ weaving real life stories of refugees with live music. The critically acclaimed work co-produced by Southbank Centre raised awareness about displacement and refugee mental health issues.

During lockdown, Soumik Datta Arts produced 'Silent Spaces' a digital series filmed inside iconic cultural venues (such as British Museum and Royal Albert Hall) that were closed during the coronavirus pandemic, employing over 100 out of work musicians, dancers and technicians.

Website https://www.soumikdatta.com/ | Instagram @soumikdatta

Press Photos https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18HVlhrE0bMIvhTjQs5TMil-MCaecAbN7?usp=sharing