Partha Pratim Roy: Music Was the Only Medicine That Could Heal Me [Sitarist, Composer, India]

Partha Pratim Roy Interview

Pandit Partha Pratim Roy has spent a lifetime choosing artistic integrity over popularity, guided by the teachings of his gurus and an unwavering devotion to music. In this conversation, he reflects on the illness that brought him back to the sitar, why tradition must remain intact amid experimentation, and the philosophy that has shaped nearly five decades of classical artistry.

Q. You chose a path that demands decades of patience in a world that increasingly values instant success. Was there ever a moment when you questioned whether dedicating your life to the sitar was the right decision? What brought you back?

The most important thing is to have genuine love and passion for what you do. If you truly love something, you cannot live without it even for a moment. I am intoxicated by music, and I cannot imagine my life without it.

That said, there was a difficult phase in my life around 2000. Due to family challenges and financial hardships, I stopped performing the sitar. The situation affected my health, and I eventually fell ill. At that time, my doctor advised me to return to music, saying it was the only medicine that could truly heal me.

That experience taught me that if your passion comes from the deepest corner of your heart, it will never leave you. Such love cannot be measured through material success. A true artist does not evaluate their calling solely through the lens of livelihood or financial reward.

Q. You've trained under some of the finest gurus of the Maihar tradition. Looking back today, which lesson from your gurus had nothing to do with music—but has guided every major decision in your life?

I have been fortunate to learn from extraordinary gurus, and their teachings continue to guide my life far beyond music.

My guru, Sangeetacharya Ajoy Sinha Roy, often spoke about the three D's of life: Dedication, Determination, and Devotion. During periods of failure and self-doubt in my early years, he repeatedly reminded me never to lose hope and to continue practicing these principles. I believe they are the keys to success not only in music but in every sphere of life.

Although Pandit Nikhil Banerjee was not my direct guru, I was privileged to have a close relationship with him and his family. Observing him from such close quarters was a blessing. One lesson of his has stayed with me forever: "If flowers bloom, their fragrance will spread automatically."

Today, many people equate popularity with greatness. I respectfully disagree. I believe it is far more meaningful to be a true musician than merely a popular one.

Q. From performing before an audience of over one lakh people in Kolkata to intimate classical recitals around the world, you've experienced every kind of stage. Which performance transformed you the most—not because it was successful, but because it changed how you viewed music?

A defining moment came in 2012 while performing at the Rasavikalpam Festival in Thrissur. During the recital, I felt as though the music was carrying me into another realm—an experience that is difficult to express in words.

After the performance, I received a standing ovation and was honoured with a prestigious Gold Medal. What moved me most, however, was when fellow artists came to the stage and told me that the music had touched their souls.

A newspaper later wrote that I was not playing for the audience but for my own inner self. That description resonated deeply with me because it reflected exactly what I had experienced.

Similar moments have occurred at prestigious platforms such as the Baba Hariballabh Festival in Jalandhar, Bangalore International Centre, Soorya Festival in Kerala, and Kalabharati in Mumbai. Many listeners and broadcasters have described these performances as milestones in my musical journey. More importantly, they transformed the way I understood the purpose of music itself.

Q. Your music remains deeply rooted in tradition, yet you've also composed fusion works inspired by global sounds. How do you decide when experimentation enriches classical music—and when it risks diluting its soul?

Dilution begins when music is created solely for entertainment.

While working with Pandit Ananda Shankar during the 1996 Cricket World Cup and later as part of his orchestra, I learned that fusion can succeed only when the roots of Indian classical music remain intact.

Like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Ananda Shankar, I believe meaningful amalgamation is possible without compromising India's musical traditions and cultural identity. Experimentation enriches music when it expands expression while preserving its foundation. The moment those roots are abandoned, the soul of the music is lost.

Q. Indian classical music asks listeners to slow down and immerse themselves. In an era dominated by short-form content and shrinking attention spans, how do you keep this centuries-old tradition relevant without compromising its depth?

I never compromise with my music. I may adapt to changing circumstances, but I do not compromise with the values I inherited from my gurus.

Even today, I perform a traditional Alap, the non-rhythmic and meditative section of a raga, often dedicating nearly half the duration of a concert to it. While it may appeal to a smaller group of serious listeners, it remains an essential part of my artistic identity.

At the same time, I strive to create a balance. I perform energetic Jhalas and raga-based Dhuns inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's compositions, classical folk traditions, and timeless Bollywood melodies. These elements help connect with wider audiences while preserving the depth and integrity of the music.

For me, relevance should never come at the cost of authenticity.

Q. After nearly five decades of performing, composing, and mentoring, what legacy do you hope future musicians remember—not about your music, but about your contribution to Indian classical culture?

It is difficult for me to say whether future generations will remember me.

Many respected musicians today describe me as someone who follows the path laid down by Pandit Nikhil Banerjee. Personally, I would never place my name alongside such a towering maestro. However, I am proud to say that I have spent my life walking the path he illuminated.

If there is one thing I would like to be remembered for, it is my sincerity in preserving and pursuing that tradition. I have always tried to remain faithful to the values of dedication, discipline, and musical integrity that my gurus entrusted to me.

To continue following that path until my last breath would be honour enough.

Bio

Pandit Partha Pratim Roy is an internationally acclaimed sitarist and composer. Belonging to the Senia Maihar gharana, he started learning sitar from Pt DebiPrasad Chatterjee, disciple of Pdt Nikhil Banerjee; later on, he learnt from Pdt Nihar Bindu Chowdhury, Sangeet Acharya Ajoy Sinha Roy, and Pdt Partha Chatterjee, and learnt the intricacies of rhythm from Pt Anil Palit. His playing blends Maihar classical precision with the lyrical Gayaki ang of Etawah gharana, emphasising emotion over mere virtuosity.

A graded artist of AIR and an A-grade composer and member of IPRS, he performed solo sitar recitals at Dover Lane, Baba Harivallabh, HCl concert, IIC, BIC, Sangeet Natak Rasavikalpam fest and many others and internationally in Spain, Belgium, Holland, Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Japan and Bangladesh for the last three decades. He is also associated with SpicMacay, CCRT and EZCC.

Featured on Washington Bangla Radio, Viewcy USA, Catalunya Radio, and gave a lecture
demonstration in international seminars at universities of Agra, Central University of Tamil Nadu and Dhaka.

As a composer, he created music for ballads and TV serials and worked with Ananda Shankar and, inspired by his ideals created a fusion team of his own. Got Banga Gaurav Saamman, the Nikhil Banerjee Memorial Award, the Sangeet Nandan and was bestowed with pandit from Seni Sangeet Sabha. Released solo CD Sitar Euphony and fusion music from Soliton of Poland. Many of his compositions have been released for radio broadcast in the UK by Zone and Fantasy.

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Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose