BIOGRAPHY

Smt. Rupan Sarkar Samanta is a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist of the Banaras Gharana, celebrated for her soulful artistry, technical brilliance, and deep commitment to preserving India’s classical music heritage. A devoted disciple of Padma Vibhushan Vidushi Girija Devi, she received rigorous taleem in the traditional Guru–Shishya Parampara, residing at her Guru’s Banaras home for a decade.

Her extensive repertoire includes Khayal, Tappa, Top Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Jhoola, Holi, and Bhajans, all rendered with emotive depth and finesse. She has had the privilege of sharing the stage with her Guruma in over 300 performances across India and abroad, and has been a prominent solo performer for the past two decades. With nearly five decades of musical experience, she stands as a proud torchbearer of her Guru’s legacy, embodying its spiritual essence, grace, and expressive richness.

Training & Lineage

  • Began musical training at the age of 4 under her father, Shri Birendra Nath Sarkar.
  • Received over a decade of rigorous and traditional training from Padma Vibhushan Smt. Girija Devi, mastering rare forms such as Tappa and Tap Khayal, along with Khayal, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Holi, Jhoola, Chaiti, and Bhajans.

Major Contributions

Preservation of Rare Art Forms
  • One of the few dedicated practitioners actively performing and preserving the intricate genres of Tappa and Tap Khayal.
  • Performances in India & Abroad
  • Featured in major festivals and conferences across cities including Kolkata, Delhi, Varanasi, Lucknow, Patna, Dehradun, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Tripura, Bangalore, Punjab, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Puri.
  • International Performances:
    • Royal Festival Hall, London
    • Concerts in Paris and Switzerland
    • Featured on Radio France
    • Concerts and workshops in the USA: Austin, Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Urbana-Champaign, San Diego, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Dallas, and more.
Special Performances:
  • Governor Houses of Lucknow, Manipur, and Twice at Raj Bhavans of Kolkata.

National Impact

  • Regular performances alongside Smt. Girija Devi in cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Bhopal, Delhi, Jaipur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, and Uttarakhand, including at IIT Roorkee.

Cultural Contributions in Uttarakhand

  • Residing in Dehradun for over 20 years.
  • Actively promoting classical music through:
    • Performances at Bhatkhande Holi Utsav, Virasat Festival (three times), and various SPIC MACAY events.
    • Outreach programs at schools and institutions in Tehri, Pauri, ITBP Mana, Badrinath, etc.
    • Workshops and concerts in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Shantivan University, and IIT Roorkee (four times).
  • Trains and mentors young artists across the state, fostering a deep-rooted interest in classical music.

Institution Building & Events Organized

  • Founder of Sadaj Pancham, a music academy promoting traditional Indian music and cultural exchange.
  • Curator of several notable events:
    • ‘Siddhi’ (2019): Tribute to Guru Girija Devi
    • Tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain - February 2025
    • Malhar Festival - July 27, 2025, honouring Smt. Girija Devi and Pt. Shankar Ghosh
    • Annual events like Basant Panchami, Gulab Bari (Holi Festival), and more

Affiliations & Recognition

  • Empanelled Artist, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) - Since 2005
  • Associated with SPIC MACAY - Since 2001
  • B-High Grade Artist, All India Radio (Delhi) – in Classical, Semi-Classical, Devotional, and Bengali music

Awards & Honours

  • All-Bengal Championship (Vocal) - 1994
  • First Prize, Pt. Ravi Kichlu Foundation’s Golden Talent Contest - 1997
  • Surmani Award, Sur Singar Samsad - Mumbai - 2003
  • Kala Ketaki, Puri, Odisha - 2004
  • Kala Ratna Award, Patna, Bihar - 2005

Admired and Blessed by Legendary Artists

Smt. Rupan Samanta has earned admiration and blessings from India’s legendary maestros, including:

  • Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar
  • Bharat Ratna Pt. Bhimsen Joshi
  • Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan
  • Padma Vibhushan Ustad Zakir Hussain
  • Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj
  • Padma Vibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj
  • Padma Shri Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri
  • Padma Bhushan Vidushi Gangubai Hangal
  • Padma Bhushan Begum Parveen Sultana
  • Padma Bhushan Vidushi Shobha Gurtu
  • Padma Shri Vidushi Shubha Mudgal
  • Padma Bhushan V.G. Jog
  • Padma Shri Pandit A.T. Kanan
  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Pandit A.T. Kanan

Legacy & Impact

Smt. Rupan Samanta’s journey is rooted in spiritual devotion, disciplined training, and cultural service. As a vocalist, teacher, cultural organizer, and institution builder, she continues to inspire audiences and students worldwide. Her dedicated efforts to preserve India’s intangible cultural heritage—especially in Uttarakhand—and to foster national and international musical exchange make her a distinguished pioneer of the Purab Ang style.