Born in Kolkata in 1969 to a family steeped in the arts, Pandit Suman Laha found his earliest inspiration in his great-grand-uncle, the late Shri Nadu Mullick—touring partner of Pt. Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan—who sparked a lifelong devotion to Hindustani music. Trained in the pure Senia Dhrupad tradition under the eminent veena master Pt. Shyamal Chattopadhyay, Suman honed a style renowned for its crystal-clear intonation, strict grammatical discipline, and emotive depth. He performs on a custom-designed, 20-string slide veena of his own invention—an evolution of the ancient Vichitra Veena—allowing him to weave lyrical meends (glides) and intricate gamaks with equal ease. Also he learnt from Pandit Manilal Nag, Pandit Barun kumar Pal, Pandit Dilip Patra, Pandit Debasish Bhattacharya (sarod), head of the department of music, Rabindra Bharati University.
Suman Laha exceeds all the good qualities of an Indian Classical Music teacher. He is one of the most gifted instrumentalists in contemporary Hindustani music, is an extraordinary performer with technical accuracy, and sets a remarkable example for many youths around the world. From the very first day, he has been teaching his students with nothing more than kindness, patience and respect.
Shri Suman Laha offers lessons in eastern classical vocals, sitar, veena, harmonium. Classes are all virtual. See pricing details below:
45-min class : $50
If you would like to take a trial, then class bundles are also available.
4-lesson bundle = $190
6-lesson bundle = $285
10-lesson bundle = $475
Our Testimonials
"Sharing the stage with Suman Laha is always a profound musical experience. His command over the veena and his sensitivity to tonal nuance create a rich and immersive soundscape. He carries the tradition forward with both integrity and individuality."
"Suman Laha's performances consistently leave a lasting impression on audiences. His ability to present classical music with depth. and accessibility makes him equally engaging for seasoned listeners and new audiences. We have been honored to host him at multiple events."
"What impressed us most about Suman ji is his ability to instill both discipline and sensitivity in his students. His teaching goes far beyond technique, it builds a deep respect for the tradition and a genuine connection to the music."
"Suman Laha brings rare depth and authenticity to his music. His exploration of alap, jod, and jhala carries both structural precision and emotional resonance. As a teacher, he has the unique ability to break down complex musical ideas without diluting their essence."
"Suman Laha is not only a highly accomplished veena artist but also a dedicated teacher. His lessons combine traditional Hindustani music training with practical guidance for performance, which makes a huge difference."