“Don’t chase the perfect note. Chase the one that feels like you.”

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For this guitarist from Kolkata, it all began nearly seven years ago with a Hobner acoustic and a quiet fire to learn. At first, Sayontan taught himself, feeling out the fretboard note by note until local classes gave structure to his passion.

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The guitar quickly became more than an instrument—it was the voice of everything he felt but couldn’t say. From metal to blues to ballads, he poured his soul into every chord. Through it all, Sayontan’s biggest supporter was his mother. "She’s my power point," he says, “always lifting me when I feel low.”

Though some were surprised by his choice at first, friends and family came around. Many even picked up guitars themselves, inspired by his dedication. And when he met Bodhisattwa Ghosh of Lakkhichhara, his musical world opened wider. “He shaped not just my playing,” he reflects, “but my mindset.”

 

There were challenges—financial strain, self-doubt, juggling studies and music—but giving up was never an option. His influences span the greats: Mateus Asato, Andy Timmons, John Mayer, Steve Vai, and his favorite, Guthrie Govan. But more than just playing fast or flashy, he believes in the feel of it. “Music needs emotion. Some songs take months to write. Others come in minutes. But all of them have to mean something.”

 

He dreams of a world where music is respected, nurtured, and funded fairly—where young musicians don’t have to abandon their dreams because of money. “Kolkata has hundreds of hungry guitarists,” he says. “They just need a stage. A mentor. A moment.”

 

Today, after wins at CYM 2024, Sanskriti 2025, and Poyla Parbon with his band, he's still growing, still pushing boundaries, still reminding everyone that success isn’t just about speed or spotlight—it's about sincerity.

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