Mumbai: In a landmark moment for the cultural tapestry of Northeast India, Sohini Dey, a gifted vocalist from Assam, has carved her name in the annals of Indian music with the release of her debut ghazal ‘Mohabbat Teri’ — a sublime composition that not only marks her formal entry into Bollywood but does so in collaboration with one of the greatest names in Indian music — Padmashri A. Hariharan.
This debut is no ordinary feat. To share vocal space with Hariharan — an icon revered for his unparalleled contribution to ghazals, semi-classical, and playback music — is an honour reserved for a rare few.
Sohini’s performance in ‘Mohabbat Teri’ does not merely complement the legend’s; it stands on its own with striking elegance, rich timbre, and a soul-stirring emotive quality.
The composition has been masterfully crafted by acclaimed music director Rajeev Mahavir, whose signature style weaves traditional emotion with contemporary elegance. The poetic depth of the lyrics, penned by the eminent Nityanand Tusher, evokes timeless romance and spiritual yearning — elements that the duet brings alive with exquisite sensitivity.
The music video was unveiled in a grand launch ceremony held at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, an evening that turned into a confluence of musical heritage and contemporary brilliance.
The event was graced by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, doyen of Indian classical music, and Ashish Shelar, Minister of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra.
The celebration saw an impressive constellation of India’s music stalwarts, including Roop Kumar Rathod, Javed Ali, Jazim Sharma, as well as an audience comprising leading Bollywood composers, producers, and cultural connoisseurs.
What makes this moment truly historic is the fact that Sohini Dey becomes the first female vocalist from Assam — and indeed from the entire Northeastern region — to be featured as a co-singer alongside a legend of Hariharan’s stature.
This is not just a personal achievement but a symbolic stride forward for the rich, yet underrepresented, musical traditions of the Northeast in mainstream Indian music.
Sohini Dey’s musical journey is rooted deeply in classical discipline and cultural legacy. She is an All India Radio-approved artiste, a national reality show champion having clinched victory in Doordarshan National’s Battle of Bands, and the lead vocalist of the celebrated ensemble ‘The Vairagis’, which recently won the Gold Championship at WAVES 2025.
A defining moment in her career came when she performed the iconic bhajan Vaishnava Jan To before Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a moment of immense national pride. She is a recipient of prestigious CCRT scholarship, a national standard scholarship in Hindustani Classical Vocal.
Her grounding in music began under the gentle but rigorous guidance of her mother, Sumita Dey Chowdhury, and her maternal uncle, Susanta Chowdhury, a respected figure in the classical music circuit.
Her artistry was further honed under the guidance of Pandit Jayanta Sarkar and the legendary Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, under whose mentorship she evolved into a nuanced and spiritually attuned performer.
In her own words, Sohini describes this achievement as “a moment of deep gratitude and fulfilment — a tribute to my roots, my state Assam, my Gurus, and every listener who has believed in my journey.”
She credits her success to her mentors and family and has dedicated the release of ‘Mohabbat Teri’ to the people of the Northeast, vowing to continue representing their voices and ethos on national and global stages.
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With this exceptional debut, Sohini Dey is not merely entering Bollywood — she is redefining it with the depth, diversity, and brilliance that Assam and the Northeast have always embodied.
The release of ‘Mohabbat Teri’ heralds a promising new chapter — one that bridges classical tradition with contemporary creativity, and regional pride with national recognition.
