BY RUCHIRA GHOSH

At first glance, Subhashish Ghosh comes across as the quintessential friendly neighbour—polite, helpful, and always ready to lend a hand. Rarely seen without his beloved guitar, he treats it as an extension of himself, a lifeline that fuels his passion.

Though he earns his livelihood in the corporate world, Subhashish lives and breathes music. Hailing from a modest middle-class family in the small towns of Sheoraphuli and Serampore (a former Danish colony on the banks of the Hooghly River near Kolkata), he grew up surrounded by melodies, thanks to his mother, an avid singer. His family later moved to New Delhi, where he completed his schooling at Raisina Bengali School and graduated with a B.Com (Hons) from Bhagat Singh College. Today, he works at Balrampur Chini Mills, handling corporate public relations—but his heart belongs to music.

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Honing His Craft

Despite his natural talent and his mother’s early guidance, Subhashish knew raw skill alone wouldn’t suffice. Determined to refine his abilities, he began formal training under the mentorship of Debu Bhattacharjee, a seasoned musician who runs Devgandhar, a music school in Delhi.

The Roller-Coaster Ride of Bands

Subhashish’s musical journey has been one of persistence. Inspired by his friend Niladri Chakraborty (formerly of Kolkata’s band Stranger), he set out to form a Bangla music band in Delhi. Alongside fellow enthusiasts Shaunak Acharya and Nioy Das, he founded Cadenza, a fusion band, followed by Sonata, which focused on folk music. Though both ventures eventually dissolved, Subhashish refused to give up. He continued performing Hindi songs at clubs and private gigs, keeping his passion alive.

Then, fortune smiled. Under the guidance of veteran musician Saurasanta Biswas (former vocalist of the now-defunct Kolkata band Kalpurush), Subhashish co-founded Souro O Bondhura (Souro and Pals). Biswas encouraged him to master the guitar, shaping him into the musician he is today.

The band features three vocalists—Saurasanta, Subhashish, and the sole female singer, Somdatta Choudhury—alongside Gaurav, Kevin, Dheeraj, and Deepanshu, who handle guitars, drums, and keyboards. Their repertoire blends folk and fusion, carving a unique niche in Delhi’s music scene.

A Milestone Achievement

Recently, Subhashish had a reason to celebrate—his band earned official recognition as Delhi’s first Bangla band at a prestigious music festival organized by the West Bengal government’s Department of Information & Culture.

Nurturing the Next Generation

Beyond performing, Subhashish is deeply involved in Ichhe Bitan (“A Garden of Aspirations”), a cultural initiative he co-founded with Saurasanta Biswas, Siddhartha Bhadury, and Nabanita. The group nurtures young talent, offering training in singing, recitation, poetry, dance-drama, and more.

Watching Subhashish interact with children during performances is reminiscent of the Pied Piper of Hamelin—except his story is far from tragic. The kids adore their affable Kaku (uncle), who sings for them at the drop of a hat, bringing joy and creativity into their lives.

A Mission Beyond Music

Reflecting on his work with children, Subhashish shares, “I love kids, but it pains me to see how today’s youth are crushed under academic pressure, with little room for artistic expression. Additionally, Bengali children in the diaspora are losing touch with their roots. Through performing arts, I hope to offer them catharsis and a connection to their heritage.”

For Subhashish Ghosh, music isn’t just a passion—it’s a way to inspire, heal, and preserve culture, one note at a time.