Pandit Samta Prasad was born on 20 July 1921, in Kabir chaura, Banaras (Varanasi), Uttar Pradesh into a family steeped in the tradition of tabla and pakhawaj of Benaras gharana, sometimes referred as Poorab baaj school [REF].
His preliminary taalim (training) began with his father, who died when Samta was seven.