Somdatta Basu is a performing artist, teacher, choreographer, mentor, and cultural entrepreneur based in Dubai, with over two decades of experience in Hindustani Classical Music and Kathak.

Her musical training spans more than 15 years under renowned Hindustani Classical vocalist Smt. Sipra Bose of the Lucknow Gharana, a direct disciple of Smt. Begum Akhtar and Naina Devi, as well as Shri Sujit Chakraborty of the Kirana Gharana. In Kathak, she trained under the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj and Shri Santosh Maharaj. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, and has completed her Sangeet Visharad in both Hindustani Classical Music and Kathak. A gold medalist and National Scholar in Kathak, she is among the rare artists with a strong foundation in both singing and dance.

Her career as a vocalist includes playback singing for the Bengali film Get Together, a dance drama telecast on Star Jalsha, and several television productions. She has released music including her Bengali modern album Gaan Pakhi, as well as four albums celebrating evergreen Bengali songs under the Smriti series. Her performances have taken her across India, Bangladesh, the USA, Kuwait, and the UAE. She was also recognised as the winner of the 2007 Middle East SaReGaMaPa contest hosted by Zee TV and the 2007 Voice of Dubai contest hosted by Star Plus.

Since moving to Dubai in 2006, Somdatta has been an active contributor to the UAE’s performing arts community. Through Symphony Sargam, the studio she founded in Dubai, she has conceptualised, curated, directed, and mentored a diverse range of concerts, cultural events, and multidisciplinary productions. These have brought together music, dance, and theatre while creating opportunities for both established artists and emerging performers. Her work has been presented at venues including Dubai Opera, Madinat Theatre, DUCTAC, Emirates International Auditorium, Global Village, and the Indian Pavilion at Dubai EXPO. She has also collaborated with artists from India and abroad, including Grammy Award nominee Anoushka Shankar and her ensemble.

Alongside her own artistic work, mentorship remains central to Somdatta’s vision for Symphony Sargam. She has trained more than 300 students from the age of six to adults in their 60s and beyond, guiding them through performances, productions, workshops, and formal examinations. Her students have performed across the UAE, while she also serves as a certified examiner for Gandharva University, India, in both Hindustani Classical Music and Kathak.

Today, Symphony Sargam reflects Somdatta’s continuing commitment to performing, creating, mentoring, and celebrating the richness of Indian classical arts.