Tathagata Mishra

Tathagata Mishra is a Kolkata-based composer and multi-instrumentalist specializing in rare Indian bowed string instruments. An internationally recognized and award-winning musician, he is noted for his work as a solo performer, bringing attention to instruments that are less frequently heard on mainstream classical stages.

His primary instruments include the esraj, a bowed string instrument associated with Bengali and Sikh musical traditions; the tar-shehnai, a modified esraj fitted with a resonating horn to produce a shehnai-like tonal quality; the sarinda, a folk bowed instrument with a carved wooden body; and the dilruba, an instrument historically attributed to the period of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and valued for its portability and expressive tone.

Mishra’s work centers on expanding the presence of bowed string instruments in contemporary performance spaces while maintaining links to traditional repertoire and technique. His performances often attract listeners interested in Indian classical instruments, rare string traditions, and cross-genre instrumental music.