Surabhi Dashputra

Surabhi Dashputra is an Indian classical and contemporary vocalist, lyricist and vocal educator based in Mumbai. A disciple of Suresh Wadkar, recipient of the Padma Shri, she has been active as a professional vocalist since 2005, working across Hindustani classical, semi-classical, ghazal, devotional and independent music. Her independent releases have reached 1.2 million yearly listeners on Spotify, with her music heard in over 100 countries. She is the founder of ASM Academy in Mumbai, through which she mentors students in Hindustani classical music across India and the United Kingdom.

Early life and training

Dashputra's introduction to music came through her family, with her mother being her first musical influence and her aunt Sandhya Tailang a continuing source of inspiration. Her foundational training in alankars began with her cousin Rasika Kalgaokar. Her father played a decisive role in her musical development, accompanying her to competitions and connecting her with leading teachers throughout her early years.

She completed a six-year Visharad in Hindustani Classical Vocal from IKSV Chhattisgarh, followed by a Diploma in Semi-Classical and Light Music from the same institution. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indian Classical Vocal from RDVV Jabalpur, where she graduated as Gold Medallist, a Master of Performing Arts in Indian Classical Vocal from the University of Mumbai, and an M.Phil in Indian Classical Vocal, also from the University of Mumbai.

In 2005, following the completion of her school studies, she began training under Suresh Wadkar at his gurukul in Mumbai. Under his guidance she developed her understanding of timing, expression and diction, and deepened her practice of riyaaz. It was also at the gurukul that she first met composer Arjuna Harjai, a musical partnership that would span more than two decades. She served as a faculty member at Ajivasan Music Academy from 2006 to 2016, having begun teaching at Suresh Wadkar's gurukul as part of her training there.

Career

Early career and Bollywood

Dashputra began her professional career composing jingles and working as a vocalist in the Bollywood entertainment industry. She appeared as a vocalist on MTV Coke Studio Season 3 alongside music producer Hitesh Sonik and Vijay Prakash.

Her feature film work includes the soundtracks for Calapor (2013) and Titoo MBA (2014), the latter featuring her collaboration with composer Arjuna Harjai on songs including "O Soniye", featuring Arijit Singh, and "Atyachaari". She also contributed to the soundtrack of Chudail (2014) and Judgementall Hai Kya (2019).

Independent music

From 2021 onwards Dashputra expanded significantly as an independent artist, releasing original music through digital platforms. Her releases including "More Sajan", "Rahiya Ve" and "Dil Vich Rab" have collectively crossed 2 million streams on Spotify, reaching 1.2 million yearly listeners with her music heard in over 100 countries.

In 2025 she co-wrote the lyrics for "Dhul Gaye", composed by Arjuna Harjai and sung by Arijit Singh, released under Oriyon Music. The track was noted for its emotional depth and Dashputra's lyrical contribution to the narrative. She and Harjai were also featured together in Rolling Stone India in September 2025 for their single "Jism Ya Rooh".

In 2026 she collaborated with Arjuna Harjai on the Punjabi pop track "Ludhiyane Waleya", released through Aart Sense Records, described as a crossover between her classical training and contemporary global production. She is also working on a four song EP with Aart Sense Records alongside fusion pieces blending folk and classical elements.

In March 2026 she was interviewed by BBC Introducing West Mids and Warwickshire, and her work has also been covered by the Times of India, Free Press Journal and Firstpost.

ASM Academy

In 2016 Dashputra founded ASM Academy in Mumbai, offering structured training in Hindustani classical, semi-classical and light music. The academy holds an academic affiliation with Gandharva Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Miraj, and has an active student base across India and the United Kingdom. The growth of online learning expanded the academy's reach to students internationally.

Live performances

In 2019 Dashputra performed at three cultural events in London: a Women's Day cultural event at Osterley with an audience of 1,200, the Asian Food and Restaurant Awards at the Hilton London with an audience of 5,000, and a New Year's Eve celebration at Osterley Park Hotel with an audience of 4,000. In 2023 she performed at the WOW Awards at NMACC Mumbai. In 2025 she performed at the Adaaygii Thumri Concert in Mumbai and at GhazalishQ at A&M Studio.

Filmography

Year Title As lyricist As singer Notes 2012 Manzoor Nahi Single Single Song composed in response to the 2012 Delhi gang rape 2013 Calapor 3 songs 2 songs 2014 Titoo MBA 3 songs 3 songs 2014 Chudail 2 songs 2015 Radio Shishpal 4 songs 2019 Judgementall Hai Kya 1 song Co-singer and composer Arjuna Harjai

Singles

Year Title Composer Label Notes 2014 O Soniye Arjuna Harjai feat. Arijit Singh; from Titoo MBA 2014 O Ranjhna Arjuna Harjai 2014 Plan Bana Le Arjuna Harjai 2016 Rahiya Ve Arjuna Harjai 2016 Rab Ki Baatein Arjuna Harjai 2017 Laaiyan Ve Arjuna Harjai 2019 Kis Raste Arjuna Harjai from Judgemental Hai Kya 2022 Naa Jao Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records 2023 Tum Yun Roothe 2024 Balma Aart Sense Records 2024 More Sajan Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records 2024 Mangoge Na Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records Primary artist alongside Arjuna Harjai; Spotify Viral 50 2024 Rehn De Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records 2024 Kadar Na Jane Arjuna Harjai 2024 Dil Vich Rab Anirudh Bhola 2025 Dhul Gaye Arjuna Harjai Oriyon Music Lyrics by Surabhi Dashputra; sung by Arijit Singh 2025 Jism Ya Rooh Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records Featured in Rolling Stone India 2025 Kaarigar Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records 2025 SukhKarta Surabhi Dashputra Aart Sense Records 2025 Ram Kahoon Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records 2026 Ludhiyane Waleya Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records Featured on BBC Asian Network 2026 Tu Hi Hai Channa Arjuna Harjai Aart Sense Records

Songs

Film Song Singer Lyricist Year Judgementall Hai Kya Kis raste hai jana Surabhi Dashputra & Arjuna Harjai Kumaar 2019 Chudail Raat Ye Kehti Hai Sunidhi Chauhan Surabhi Dashputra 2015 Chudail Das Rahe Hain Jonita Gandhi Surabhi Dashputra 2015 Titoo MBA O Soniye Arijit Singh & Vibha Saraf Surabhi Dashputra 2014 Titoo MBA Atyachaari Surabhi Dashputra & Arjuna Harjai Surabhi Dashputra 2014 Titoo MBA Plan Bana Le Aishwarya Nigam & Surabhi Dashputra Kumaar 2014 Titoo MBA O Ranjhna Surabhi Dashputra Surabhi Dashputra 2014 Calapor Bindaas Various Surabhi Dashputra 2013 Calapor I Love You Ma Arjuna Harjai & Surabhi Dashputra Surabhi Dashputra 2013 Calapor Tarana Surabhi Dashputra Surabhi Dashputra 2013 Calapor Musical Lakshmi Madhusudan & Aishwarya Nigam Sanjeev Chaturvedi 2013 Manzoor Nahi Single Surabhi Dashputra & Arjuna Harjai Surabhi Dashputra 2012