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Soham Mukhopadhyay
| Soham Mukhopadhyay
সোহম্ মুখোপাধ্যায় | |
Mukhopadhyay performing with his signature Nose'monica | |
| Born | 13 August 1985 |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Residence | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Genres | Instrumental, fusion, folk, experimental |
| Instruments | Harmonica (Nose'monica), melodica, flute |
| Known for | Pioneering nasal respiration play on wind instruments, global speed and endurance records |
Soham Mukhopadhyay (born 13 August 1985) is an Indian instrumentalist, composer, and creative artist who introduced the "Nose'monica" (nasal harmonica) technique to contemporary acoustic music. Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, Mukhopadhyay is recognized for developing a methodology to operate traditional woodwind and free-reed instruments using nasal respiration instead of oral exhalation.
Combining performance art with ancient Indian breathing mechanics, he has set over 16 global records recognized by international registries, establishing a distinct sub-genre within wind instrumentation.
Early life and musical education
Soham Mukhopadhyay was raised in Burdwan, West Bengal, surrounded by classical Bengali performing arts. His father, Satinath Mukhopadhyay, was an acclaimed voice artist and reader of regional literature, and his mother, Purnima Mukhopadhyay, was an accomplished vocalist. Exposure to vocal exercises and melodic structures during his childhood helped him develop an early understanding of rhythm, pitch, and performance dynamics.
At age ten, Mukhopadhyay began learning the standard mouth harmonica. He chose the instrument because of its expressive tone, compact structure, and accessibility. During his development, he studied the works of global harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler alongside Indian masters like Milan Gupta and Saikat Mukherjee. He was also heavily influenced by the arrangements of composer R. D. Burman, who popularized the harmonica within mid-20th-century Indian cinema by integrating Western acoustic textures with traditional subcontinental ragas.
Development of the "Nose'monica"
While traditional wind performance relies on oral airflow, Mukhopadhyay began experimenting with the idea of using the nasal passages to drive the free reeds of the harmonica. This transition posed major physiological challenges, as the nasal cavity produces a narrower airstream and different pressure dynamics than the mouth.
To resolve these physical constraints, Mukhopadhyay studied Pranayama (the ancient Indian practice of yogic breath control). By applying specific diaphragmatic and nasal exercises, he gradually built the physical endurance and localized air pressure control needed to direct air through the individual chambers of the harmonica.
By refining this breath control, he was able to perform complex melodies continuously using only nasal respiration. This system, which he named the "Nose'monica," became the foundation of his career and expanded the technical boundaries of the harmonica.
Live performances and media reception
After establishing his technique, Mukhopadhyay became a full-time performer, staging more than 500 live concerts across India and abroad. He has performed at major cultural venues, including the New Delhi World Book Fair, the Atri Festival in Odisha, and various state-sponsored cultural showcases in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.
His unusual performance style has attracted international interest, leading to exhibition tours in Germany, Poland, and the United States. His technical achievements have been documented by major Indian news outlets and broadcasters, including Anandabazar Patrika, Aajkaal, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, and ETV Bangla.[1]
World records and awards
Mukhopadhyay has earned multiple world records for playing different wind instruments using his nose. He currently holds more than 16 validated international record certificates across the harmonica, melodica, and traditional flute.
His certified record achievements include:
- RecordSetter (US): Longest Continuous Performance of a Harmonica via Nasal Airflow[2]
- RecordSetter (US): Longest Continuous Melodica Recital using Nasal Respiration[3]
- RecordSetter (US): Longest Continuous Nose-Blown Flute Recital[4]
In addition to these records, his work has been archived in the Limca Book of Records, the Bharat Book of Records, and by the Assist World Records organization. He has received over 500 local, national, and international honors, including the Bharat Siromoni International Award in Andhra Pradesh, and was named an official "Record Creator" by the International Record Holder and Achievers Association.
Personal life
Mukhopadhyay lives and works in West Bengal. He married Payel Mukhopadhyay in 2017.