About

Sutanu Sur is an internationally acclaimed Tabla artist, Indian-Western crossover musician and an educator based out of the mid-west region in US. He was born in a genuine music loving family in the suburbs of Kolkata, WB, India. His uncle Late Shantimoy Sur (popularly known as Chanu da) was a vocalist as well as a Tabla player, who was also a great music critic understanding the nuances of Indian Classical music in the region. Sutanu was attracted towards the hidden joys of music at a tender age of 5. Tabla and rhythms been the top of his interest, literally banging anything and everything to create rhythms.  His father arranged formal training from Tabla maestro Late Pt. Sukumar Maitra which he continued for 12 years in the Guru-Shishya tradition and later continued his advanced learning journey from the trainings of legendary Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri.

Sutanu's first stage performance was with the University of Kalyani, WB, India. He collaborated with the PG students when he was just 10 years old. He participated in various national and state level talent contests or competitions in Tabla, topping nearly all of them. The notable achievements include West Bengal State Music Academy top performers in Tabla in 1998, Nehru Talent Search Contest top performers in 1999.

There is a great connection between the rhythmic structure or complexities of Tabla and the enhancement of mathematical and analytical skills. Sutanu has been able to aptly find these connections and simultaneously pursue Engineering in Information Technology from one of the India's top Science and Technology University, Jadavpur University. He moved to the US to work as a Software Engineer in 2012 and continued to perform, promote, educate about his music through various concerts and workshops. Tabla is not a familiar instrument in this part of the world but definitely made a mark to all the audiences who heard him play. His collaboration with both Western Orchestra and Indian Classical instruments (Sitar, Sarod, Flute, vocal singing etc.) made him a versatile sought after performer.

Sutanu's featured performance with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra at the opening night concert of the 2022-23 season, won the prestigious American Prize 2023 for Orchestral Performance (Professional Division).

Recently Featured Roles in the following organizations as a Tabla Artist

• Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra (2023 American Prize winning performance)
• Atlanta Master Chorale
• Consulate General of India, Chicago
• Lawrence University Conservatory of Music
• Green Lake Festival of Music
• Fox Valley Sinfonia
• Indus of Fox Valley Organization
• Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
• Wisconsin Public Radio
• WHBY Radio
• Member of the board of Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion (J.E.D.I) committee at the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra.
• Member of Diversity Alliance at Percussive Arts Society
• Featured Judge at Charleston International Music Competition
• Jury member of WOMCO (World Online Music Competitions Organizations)

Wisconsin tabla artist, Sutanu Sur, finds a new audience for his collaborations with Western orchestras and choirs