Pratyay Raha

portrait of Pratyay Raha
Role at the ZKM
Guest Artist
At the ZKM
  • 2023
Biography

Pratyay Raha is an Indian sound artist and composer working in the field of new media and acoustic ecology. In his practice, he takes a multi-layered and investigative approach to contribute to the understanding of natural ecosystems facing the negative impacts of excessive anthropogenic interventions as well as the ongoing climate crisis. In doing so, he foregrounds the complex interactions between humans, the environment, and linkages to these ecologically impacted areas.

In 2018, Raha presented his long-term work on the history and analysis of the Indian People's Theater Association and its music at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. In 2022, he presented a new media performance on the passing traditions of ancient West Bengal languages at the Forecast Forum in Berlin. He composes music for theater productions, contemporary dance performances, and documentaries, including Abanti Sinha's international film festival award-winning production »Bhumchu: The Drops of Eternal Life«.

Pratyay Raha completed a master's degree in composition and creative music practice at the University of Limerick in Ireland. He founded the Kolkata-based cultural organization »Surokahon« where he explores the multiple aspects of traditional Indian music, folk and popular music through recordings, performances, conversations and writings. From February to May 2023, he was artist-in-residence at The Indian Sonic Research Organisation (TheISRO) in Bangalore.