Debashish Bhattacharya

Debashish Bhattacharya is an extrodinary musician whose imaginative renderings and innovative techniques reveal a prophetic re-thinking that has always been on the vanguard of North Indian classical music. A disciple of the great Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Brij Bhushan Kabra, his musical lineage is linked to the renowned 16th century Mogul court singer Tansen.

Debashish is a winner of the President of India Award and the first guitarist to perform before several hundred thousand people at Bangalore's 23rd National Festival of Music. Touring extensively, including Canada, Japan, England and the United States, he is widely acclaimed as "an outstanding talent of the new generation of classical Indian musicians." His unorthodox finger style and steel bar dexterity reproduce all the modulations and nuances of vocal music to an advanced degree, while also exhibiting a distinct instrumental style which embraces classical elegance and traditional sensitivity. The listener will hear in his music a new and profound level of virtousity for this style of guitar.

Debashish has devoted many years creating a hauntingly beautiful and innovative guitar that is a synthesis of four instruments: the Veena, the Sitar, the Sarod, and the Arabian Kannur. His Guru gave his instrument the name Dev Veena; literally, "The Veena which has been sent to us by God." The Dev Veena has twenty-two strings and is played flat on the lap, Hindustani or Hawaiian style, while using a metal bar in the left hand. The wonderful gift of Debashish's music is that he presents a fusion of formal classical music and improvisation, revealing an expression of passion and emotion that crosses cultural and musical boundries.To hear him in concert is to experience the musicianship of a master.