Alok Lahiri

Guru Pandit Alok Lahiri, born on 21 October 1954, is an eminent Hindustani classical sarod artiste whose playing is recognised for its subtlety, emotional depth, and strong aesthetic identity. His musical sensibility reflects the spiritual and melodic values of his gharana, while maintaining intensity and tonal power that deeply engage listeners. His early exposure to music came through his father, Late Shri Anil Chandra Lahiri, whose interest in the sarod inspired him to pursue the instrument seriously.

Pandit Lahiri’s formal musical journey began under Sangeetacharya Pandit Buddhadev Ganguly, where he received his foundational training in sarod. He later became one of the foremost disciples of Pandit Shyam Gangopadhyay and Pandit Kamal Mullick of the legendary Maihar Gharana, undergoing rigorous and long-term taalim under their guidance. To further broaden his musical understanding and repertoire, he later trained under Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, enriching his approach with additional stylistic depth.

In 1975, Pandit Alok Lahiri was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for musical excellence after securing first position in the All India Radio music competition, marking an important milestone in his career. Since then, he has performed at numerous major classical music conferences and festivals across India and has toured widely across the world, including the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada, Russia, the Middle East, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, contributing actively to the global propagation of Hindustani classical music.

Among his notable international appearances are performances at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the Cannes World Music Festival in France, and Canada Culture Days in Hamilton, where he performed as the first Indian artiste along with his son and disciple, Abhisek Lahiri. He is especially admired for his strength in duet performances and has collaborated with several leading maestros. His sitar–sarod duet recording with Pandit Manilal Nag, released by Gathani Records, is regarded as a benchmark recording in its genre.

Pandit Lahiri is a regular artiste of All India Radio and national television in Kolkata and has also composed orchestral works for special broadcasts. His contributions extend to film music, including work for international filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed film Shatranj ke Khiladi (The Chess Players). He has also served with the Cultural Department of the Government of West Bengal and has been honoured with the position of Director of Indian Music at the Freies Musikzentrum in Stuttgart, Germany.

Along with his wife, Smt. Kajal Lahiri, he currently runs the Sur Sangam Academy of Music, through which he teaches sarod, sitar, and other instruments to students of all ages across the world. As a performer, composer, and guru, Pandit Alok Lahiri continues to play a significant role in preserving and transmitting the traditions of Hindustani classical music.