Otherness, Art, and the The Myth of the ‘Professional Musician’ w/ Soumik Datta
Composer, sarodist, and cultural shapeshifter Soumik Datta joins T.L. Mazumdar for a conversation that goes far beyond the usual talk of craft and career.
Born in Mumbai and raised in London, Soumik grew up between cultures, mentored by Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta in Kolkata and later trained in composition at Trinity Laban.
Today, he stands as one of the rare contemporary artists bridging heritage and innovation with equal devotion. His work spans collaborations with Beyoncé, Anoushka Shankar, Nitin Sawhney, Akram Khan, and the BBC Singers, as well as large-scale projects through his own organisation, Soumik Datta Arts.
But what makes his story compelling isn’t the résumé — it’s the restlessness underneath it.
In this conversation, we revisit the early years and the quiet ways we both learned what it meant to be ‘othered’, long before we had the language for it.
We talk about the invisible labour behind becoming a professional artist, the parts of the iceberg that rarely see daylight, and why the industry’s current definition of a “professional musician” might not be serving anyone — not the artist, not the audience, not the art.
(This is the official edited release of our exchange. The complete, unedited version — with all the silences, laughter, and contradictions intact — lives exclusively inside the community).
Download my FREE 'Artist Mindmap'. A one-page mini-masterclass for independent musicians.
Music and Audio Production: www.everynowheremusic.com
Episode Notes / Text : www.tlwrites.com
T.L. Mazumdar
Musician/Educator, Founder: Holistic Musician Academy
Indian-German Producer/Singer-Songwriter T.L. Mazumdar grew up on 3 continents and 4 countries.
Mentored by a series of iconic musicians like Kenny Werner, Kai Eckhardt, Dr John Matthias, and the late Gary Barone, his artistic journey has aptly been described by Rolling Stone magazine as one that ‘...personifies multiculturalism’.
Time Out Mumbai has referred to him as ‘’...amongst a handful of Indian (origin) musicians who don't have to play sitars or tablas''
He has been nominated for German Music awards
Bremer Jazzpreis and Future Sounds Jazz Award, and been called ''...a major talent'' by Jack Douglas (Producer: John Lennon, Miles Davis, etc.). .
Soumik Datta
Artistic Director; Sarod Player
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. Insp…
Read More
