Strings of Glory

India8217;s only claim to Grammy glory so far has been Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt8217;s win along with Ry Cooder for their World Music album A meeting by the River in 1994.

Kolkata musician Debashish Bhattacharya talks about his Grammy nominated album

India8217;s only claim to Grammy glory so far has been Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt8217;s win along with Ry Cooder for their World Music album A meeting by the River in 1994. Which is probably why the Grammy nomination of Kolkata musician Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya8217;s album Calcutta Chronicle Indian Slide Guitar Odyssey, in the traditional world music category is a significant achievement indeed. 8220;This nomination is important because it comes without any kind of foreign collaboration. Moreover, the album showcases my invention, a trinity of guitars,8221; says Bhattacharya, one of India8217;s most important exponents of slide guitars.

Born into a family of musicians8212;his parents were classical vocalists8212;Bhattacharya8217;s brush with the instrument was when he was three years old. 8220;My mother brought me a Hawaiian lap steel guitar and I was hooked,8221; says Bhattacharya. Since then it has been an intense story of perseverance. 8220;I have devoted 35 long years of my life to this instrument. I have innovated with it and given it the dignity that it deserves,8221; states Bhattacharya.

As he realised his calling, Bhattacharya decided to train himself classically. He studied with Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra, who introduced the slide guitar into Indian classical music, and later with vocalist Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty who helped him expand his knowledge of Raga music.

Bhattacharya8217;s innovations include the 22-stringed Chaturangi, the 14-stringed Ghandarvi and the tiny ukulele-like Anandi, which has only 4 strings. Each produces a wide array of timbres, which he uses to suggest various Indian instruments.

The Grammy nominated album, Calcutta Chronicles: Indian Slide Guitar Legacy , is Bhattacharya8217;s first album since winning a BBC Radio Award for World Music in 2007 and uses these three instruments extensively. 8220;In this album I have tried to chronicle the history of guitar playing in India. From Gypsy to Sufi, I have tried to address different genres. My attempt was also to strike a balance between the ancient and the contemporary,8221; says Bhattacharya.

Bhattacharya has been nominated in another category too with Jazz-rock guitar legend John McLaughlin, but he holds the nomination for Calcutta Chronicle in higher esteem. 8220;This is an individual achievement and also a testimony for all that I have struggled for all these years,8221; claims Bhattacharya. nbsp;Music aficionados of Kolkata can look forward to Bhattacharya8217;s Grammy-nominated album as a January 2009 release. 8220;I hope it will appeal to a cross section of listeners,8221; sums up Bhattacharya.

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nbsp;The Grammy Awards will be held on 8th February 2009 at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles