A Heartfelt concert: George Brooks and Pt. Krishnamohan Bhatt share music and memories

Their friendship was quickly put to the test when they worked on their album, Lasting Impression. Brooks recounted the amusing moment Ustad Zakir Hussain offered his services: “He said, ‘Do you guys need a drummer?’”. Brooks’s first worry was, “Can I afford you?” but the Ustad insisted they focus on the music first, cementing a musical journey that has lasted decades.

Buidling back up

The most moving part of the evening was when Brooks talked about Pt. Bhatt’s incredible courage. Brooks revealed that about a year and a half ago, Pt. Bhatt was in a serious car accident, suffering multiple fractures to his spine and leg.

“It’s kind of a miracle that he’s on stage with us tonight,” Brooks said emotionally, leading to powerful applause that showed admiration for Pt. Bhatt’s determination to return to his art. The energy and sincerity of the festival deeply impressed attendees, including Maya Press who travels specifically for the music. “That’s the beauty of Sawai,” she noted, “They respect the tradition completely, but they also show how Indian music can speak to the world”.

Soulful songs of Rajasthan

Pt. Bhatt honoured his roots by speaking about his family’s rich five-generation tradition in Rajasthan. He played a small, lovely piece of Maand, a special kind of music from Rajasthan, performing a song about a wedding called Nakhrāļī Byāvaṇā.

The music was wonderful, leading smoothly into a tribute piece for Pt. Bhimsen Joshi—a perfect way to honour the festival’s great spirit. As Brooks had said, just hearing the Sitar “tunes up… already creates an incredible world and realm of sound”.