We have studied the solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation of Coumarin 153 (C-153) in SDS dispersed two different types of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), namely metallic and semiconducting, using picosecond fluorescence spectroscopy. It has been observed that solvation dynamics of C-153 in SWNTs is severely retarded compared to pure water and SDS micelle. Time resolved fluorescence anisotropy study suggests that C-153 molecules are located on the surface of SWNT, where the rotational motion of the probe is severely hindered compared to SDS micelle due to the restriction imposed by SWNT surface as well as surrounding SDS monomers or SDS half-cylindrical micelles adsorbed on SWNT surface. (C) 2010 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.