MUMBAI: An Emmy-recognized violinist, composer, and former orchestral manager & music director of the MIT Orchestra, Sumeet Sarkar has carved a unique path in the global music industry. Based in Los Angeles, Sarkar is an active film composer with credits on Netflix, Apple TV, and Amazon, including the Emmy-nominated Home documentary and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary. He has also led orchestras for the New England Emmy-winning documentary Imagination Off the Charts on Jacob Collier’s work. His artistry blends orchestral mastery with a commitment to mental health awareness, crafting cinematic and ambient soundscapes that offer both depth and comfort.
Defining Moments: From Berklee to Los Angeles
Reflecting on his journey, Sarkar shares how his artistic voice took shape through a balance of creativity and discipline:
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“You need to be spontaneous with ideas, but also very detailed if you want to deliver something that really lives on screen,” he says.
His turning point came in Los Angeles, where he worked on landmark projects like Apple TV’s Home, Netflix’s Ginny and Georgia, and the Ruth Bader Ginsburg documentary. Another milestone was scoring the films Sabari Milachin (2022) and Baraka (2024), both screened at the Micheaux Film Festival.
“Sitting in the theater and hearing my score come alive with the audience there made everything come full circle,” Sarkar recalls.
Growing up in South Africa and moving to Boston and later LA taught him resilience and adaptability—qualities that continue to shape his music.
On Collaboration: Learning from Jacob Collier, BBno$, and Lili Haydn
Collaboration, Sarkar notes, has been one of his greatest teachers.
“Working with Jacob Collier at MIT showed me what it means to be fearless with ideas and to let music stretch beyond genre,” he reflects.
With rapper BBno$, Sarkar brought orchestral elements into unconventional settings, including The Streamer Awards and Jacksepticeye’s Thankmas fundraiser. His long-term collaborations with Grammy-winning violinist Lili Haydn on Netflix projects taught him persistence, instinct, and the art of studio discipline.
“Each collaboration makes me step into a new space and see music as a conversation. The more I learn from others, the more I bring back into my own writing.”
A Landmark Project: Orchestral Album in Prague
Sarkar’s upcoming orchestral album, recorded in Prague and releasing in 2026 under Amebo Records by composer Andre Corea, is a deeply personal project.
“This album has been a dream for years,” he admits. “Recording in Prague gave me the chance to bring my sketches to life with a full orchestra, and hearing that sound in the studio was unforgettable.”
The album features pieces like Journey and Fare Thee Well, compositions that have matured with him over the years. Listeners can expect a rich blend of orchestral depth and intimate, self-designed textures.
“I want the soundscape to feel cinematic and personal at the same time—something you can feel as much as you hear.”
Music as Healing: A Vision for Mental Health Awareness
Beyond his career in film scoring and orchestral work, Sarkar is passionate about using music as a form of healing and awareness.
“Music can reach us in ways words often cannot. It holds space, brings comfort, and reminds us we are not alone,” he says.
His performances, including Thankmas with BBno$ and Jacksepticeye, demonstrate how music can unite communities around meaningful causes. At the same time, his ambient and cinematic works are often created with the intention of providing listeners a space to pause, breathe, and reflect.
“Art is an expression of who we are and who we can become. My hope is that my music reminds people that they matter.”
