Roopa Panesar is regarded as one of the top sitarists to emerge from the UK’s Indian classical music scene. Her repertoire spans Indian classical, jazz, and western classical genres, captivating audiences and garnering the respect of her peers.
Roopa’s exceptional musical talents have led to numerous high-profile national and international concerts, tours, and televised performances. She has collaborated with Mercury Prize-winning artist Talvin Singh and participated in prestigious events such as London’s Darbar Festival of Indian classical music and dance and WOMAD UK.
Born in London and raised in multicultural Leicester, Roopa began learning sitar at a young age under the tutelage of renowned educator and leading UK musician Ustad Dharambir Singh ji MBE. Roopa quickly gained recognition as a future talent and continues to study with her musical guru to this day. She has also received additional training from masters including Pandit Arvind Parikh, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pt. Buddhaditya Mukherjee, and Ustad Bahauddin Dagar.
Roopa is proud to be among the few Indian women worldwide who have launched successful careers as full-time touring and teaching sitarists. Her 2022 album Subha, released through Asian Arts Agency, highlights her sitar skills in a collection of morning ragas accompanied by tabla master Ramdas Palsule.
Roopa’s performances encompass Hindustani classical music, western classical, jazz, and world music. She has toured extensively in the UK, India, Europe, and the USA. Her debut album “Khoj” was released through the Milapfest Institute for Indian Arts in 2011. This was followed by an album of morning ragas (also known as raags and rags) titled “Subha” (2022).
In February 2023, Roopa debuted Atma (The Soul) at London’s iconic Barbican Centre. The music on Atma was written in response to personal and global turmoil, aiming to uplift and offer peace and love to listeners facing life’s challenges. Recorded at Real World Studios, Atma features a full range of Indian music with leading Indian classical and jazz musicians.
Her latest album Atma (The Soul) will be released through Asian Arts Agency with distribution through Cadiz Music on March 24th, 2023.
(headline image: Roopa Panesar – Photo @SinbadPhgura Painting @BruceMcLean)
Discography:
Khoj (2011)
Subha (Asian Arts Agency, 2022)
Atma (Asian Arts Agency, 2023)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Yes, a top sitarist performer and teacher. Feel truly blessed to be taught by her. I have both her CDs Subha and Atma and they are sublime, Attended two concerts recently at the Curve and the Barbican. Can’t get enough of her music! When is the next concert, please?
Shree Roopa Panesar
A super star Sitarist!
In my 88 years I have witnessed: Ustad Vilayat Khan 1956
Smt Annapurna Devi 1956
Shree Nikhil Bannerjee
Shree Shaheed Parvez
Shree Ravi Shankar
Shree Anushka Shankar
Shree Roopa Panesar shines as “Saptarshi Stars ensemble” in the galaxy
of sitar virtuosos of planet Earth.
Salutations to your “Divine Saraswati”