Soumyadeep Som: The Cultural Visionary Redefining Tradition Through Technology
One guy has managed to successfully combine culture and technology in a world where the former continually seems to be slipping behind the latter. Soumyadeep Som is a movement in and of itself, not merely a moniker. He has spent the last few years rethinking how we celebrate art, music, and traditions in the digital age. He is a thinker, creator, and cultural reformer.
His work demonstrates that culture can not only survive in the contemporary world but also flourish more than ever before, from bringing back long-forgotten customs to bringing audiences from all over the world together through virtual festivals.
2020: Utsav App – When Festivity Went Digital
It all began in 2020, at a moment when humanity was facing unprecedented uncertainty. Soumyadeep, a co-founder and creative force behind the Utsav App, launched Utsav App Sharad Samman, the first digital platform for Durga Puja organisers.
This wasn’t just another app; it was a watershed moment for Bengal’s most precious celebration. The Utsav App, with features such as virtual voting, live darshan, and interactive experiences, enabled devotees to stay connected even when the world stood still.
What started as a necessity quickly evolved into a revolution, a new way to honour commitment without bounds. It was obvious that the future of Indian culture had found its digital voice.
2021: Music Without Borders – A Global Symphony of Hope
When the pandemic silenced live performances the following year, Soumyadeep made music out of that silence. He brought together musicians from seven nations, including Belgium, France, Italy, Australia, and Iran, for a Virtual International Musical Night in 2021.
The event was about faith, not about showmanship or fame. It was music that reached across seas to remind everyone that harmony might exist even in remote places.
Later that year, he organised an Indian Classical Night featuring masters from Punjab to Telangana. Instruments such as the Eisraj, Veena, Tabla, Sarod, and Sitar resounded across the virtual arena, each note paying homage to India’s eternal musical history.
2022: Global Kirtan Mahotsav: When the World Prayed Together
Soumyadeep’s creative vision expanded again in 2022, with the Global Kirtan Mahotsav, the world’s first online Kirtan festival.
Over 40 countries from six continents, including Japan, Brazil, Kenya, and the United States, united in spiritual harmony. What happened was more than simply an event; it was a community prayer for peace, faith, and healing energy.
🌍 Watch the Global Kirtan Mahotsav here
🌍 Watch more sessions here
🌍 And here
The festival proved that spirituality doesn’t need a stage; it only needs a connection. And Soumyadeep built exactly that.
2023: Reviving Bengal’s Hidden Heritage
After renewing digital devotion, Soumyadeep turned to something closer to his roots: recovering Bengal’s lost heritage.
In 2023, he collaborated with former UN representative Neline Mondal, HIDCO, and the NGO Bangalantokdotcom to promote Bansberia’s traditional Kartick Puja. Under his creative direction, this centuries-old event acquired fresh life on the global stage, highlighting Bengal’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
Through this work, he not only managed to conserve a vanishing rite, but also encouraged cultural tourism, demonstrating to the world how local heritage can acquire an international reputation when directed by passion and purpose.
2024: Leading with Art, Faith, and Innovation
As Chief Creative Officer of Utsav and General Secretary of the Duttapara Sarbojanin Durgotsab Committee in Serampore, Soumyadeep continues to combine leadership and creativity.
His 2025 theme, “Jaga-Durga,” a symbol of Lord Jagannath and Maa Durga, was one of the year’s most discussed artistic developments. A teenage sculptor from Tarakeswar created the idol, which became a symbol of heavenly union and spiritual inclusivity. It was more than just art; it was a fusion of emotion, religion, and storytelling.
The proposal drew considerable applause, reminding everyone that tradition can thrive even in the face of change.
2025: Dattapara Durga Puja Embraces Rath Yatra Traditions
When Dattapara Durga Puja presented its spiritually charged theme in 2025, “Rath Tanle Durga Aashe” (When the Chariot Moves, Durga Arrives), Soumyadeep’s creativity was once again on display.
The idea was inspired by Lord Jagannath’s famous Gupta Gundicha Yatra, in which Mahishasuramardini Durga is said to go with Lord Jagannath on a secret, heavenly expedition. Soumyadeep created a magnificent combination of Bhakti (devotion) and Shakti (divine energy) by artfully combining this uncommon Odia ritual with Bengal’s Durga Puja.
Puri’s Jagannath Dham, where Devi Bimala and Lord Jagannath have an unbreakable relationship, was mirrored in the pandal’s design, serving as a reminder that every sacrifice made to Jagannath is also an homage to her. The pandal became a live representation of heavenly harmony as the air was filled with colourful paintings, intricate chariot designs, and religious chanting of “Durgamadhavah.”
Soumyadeep has again rewritten what cultural storytelling may be with this amazing fusion, a sincere interaction between tradition and innovation. Reminding everyone that faith, art, and legacy all come to the same heavenly source, the 2025 Dattapara Puja served as a symbol of unification.
A Visionary for a New India
At such a young age, Soumyadeep Som has become a symbol of current Indian cultural identity, bridging the gap between the past and the future. His work continues to inspire artists, technologists, and believers alike.
Whether through digital puja experiences, global music collaborations, or heritage revival, his message is clear.
Art and faith can still unite humanity, no matter how far apart we are.
In an age when the globe is more connected but also more divided than ever, Soumyadeep’s journey proves that innovation and devotion can coexist to create not only events but also emotional experiences that live on in people’s hearts.
