BEGINNINGS:

When he was only two or three years old, the meditative notes of Indian classical music and Rabindrasangeet (Songs of Rabindranath Tagore) would caress his sensitive mind and lull him to a slumber.

His parents were among the many truly culturally enlightened and educated Bengali families who indulged in fine arts and considered it a priority to inculcate fine qualities in their child right from the beginning. He had a tuneful voice as many have and learnt his first alphabets in Hindustani music from Smt. Leena Chakravarty when only six years old.

CLASSICAL MUSIC -

At eight he was taken over by the Maestro of Kirana Gharana Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khansahab and his younger brother Ustad Mubarak Ali Khansahab. The Ustads made him their disciple by performing the ceremonial “Shahgirdi”, (spiritual initiation) when Sounak was twelve.
Today still under their able wings, Sounak is one of their senior most disciples and also one of the most successful though still quite young.

EDUCATION AND SCHOOLING -

In 1996 Sounak completed his secondary school leaving exams (ICSE, Class 10) from the reputed school Don Bosco Park Circus – Kolkata, India. His relentless proclivity towards music gradually made him prioritize it over everything else. He continued with his Graduation from Kolkata University and eventually a Maters Degree in English literature, but his focus was always music. In the next few years his talent was acknowledged by several institutions and organizations beginning with leading Inter School Fests of Kolkata to music competitions of national repute. He has also performed in many important music conferences in different parts of India and abroad.

RABINDRASANGEET (TAGORE SONGS) -

Compositions of Rabindranath Tagore, India’s poet laureate used to be a part of Sounak’s listening experience right from his childhood days. Into his tweens, his increasing love and admiration for Tagore and his works gradually led him to begin learning this art form as well. The foundation was laid by renowned and celebrated exponent of Rabindrasangeet – Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta. Later Sounak honed his skills under the stalwart artist Pramita Mallick who transcended the role of a teacher and emerged as his mentor.


TODAY –

With a Master degree in English literature and a veritable repertoire of Ragas, Bandishes and Rabindrasangeet, Sounak has today established himself as one of the most promising and significant artists of his generation. Going beyond stereotypical stage performances, he has emerged as an ideator and director of unique stage presentations involving different forms of music, literature and even films and dances occasionally.