Suparna Ghosh, lovingly known as Rupa (rupaghosh2011@yahoo.com), is a faculty member of HDBS Kala Bhavan, teaching Nazrul Geeti and Devotional Songs. Rupa is one of the most celebrated and versatile singers in North America, admired by audiences for her soulful voice, effortless expression, and deep devotion to the timeless songs of Tagore and Nazrul. Rupa’s musical journey began at the tender age of five in Chittagong, Bangladesh, under the guidance of Shri Nirmalandu Chowdhury at the historic Arya Sangeet Samiti. Her love for music blossomed into years of rigorous classical training with legendary maestros – Ustad Nirod Baran Barua (Bangladesh) and Pandit Manas Chakraborty (Kolkata). She later enriched her Rabindra Sangeet repertoire under the mentorship of Pandit Mihir Nandi, Smt. Shela Momen (Santiniketan), Smt. Sanjida Khatun (President of Chhayanaut), Smt. Pratima Sur (Santiniketan), Sadi Mohammad, Ustad Mihir Lala, and Smt. Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya. Alongside her musical excellence, Rupa also holds a master’s degree in English Literature from the National University of Bangladesh.
Rupa’s talent has been honored with numerous awards, including Sur-Saptak Sangeet Vidyapeeth Award (1992 & 1993 – 1st Place), Bangladesh National Rabindra Sangeet Conference & Competition (1992 & 1996 -1st Place), Acharya Surendralal Das Memorial Gold Medal (1997). Before moving to the U.S., she was a regular performer on Bangladesh Radio and Television, where her voice became a beloved presence in households across the country.
In 2010, Rupa founded Surangan Music School in Houston, offering tailor-made lessons in Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, devotional songs, and classical & semi-classical vocal music. She also organizes large-scale concerts and cultural collaborations with leading musicologists from around the world. Rupa has released several music and video albums over the years, such as Kobi Pranam. Rupa has performed in various cities across Bangladesh and the U.S. and at major cultural conventions, such as the North American Bengali Conference (NABC), the Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA), and the North America Nazrul Conference (NANC).
Rupa is deeply involved in the cultural fabric of the Greater Houston area. She regularly collaborates with Houston Durga Bari Society, Tagore Society of Houston, Bangladesh Association of Houston, Bangladesh American Society of Greater Houston, Vedanta Society of Greater Houston, Vedanta Society of Dallas, Houston Puja Samiti, Prana School of Music and Art, Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA), North America Nazrul Conference, and many more. At Kala Bhavan, she has been offering lessons to kids and adults in Pancha Kobi songs, particularly of Kazi Nazrul Islam, and in devotional songs, such as Shyama Sangeet.
