Indian Classical Music: DEBTAR - The Strings of the Soul

Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya, a virtuoso slide guitarist, is renowned for his mastery of Hindustani classical music and modern world fusion. Growing up in a musical family, he made his first radio performance at the age of four. At 21, he paused his career to train intensively under the grand guru Brij Bhushan Kabra, practicing up to 16 hours a day for ten years. This rigorous training, combined with further study under the master Sarod legend Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, equipped him with a deep understanding of various styles within the Hindustani Classical music tradition.

Debashish's impressive career includes over 3,000 live concerts and 27 commercial recordings, with performances at prestigious festivals worldwide. His innovative techniques, such as the "diri" and his unique approach to playing Jhala, set him apart as a master of technical dexterity and emotional expression. He has collaborated with renowned musicians like John McLaughlin, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Jerry Douglas, and his work has earned him two Grammy nominations and numerous other accolades.

In addition to his performance career, Debashish is a prolific composer and dedicated teacher. He has created thousands of compositions based on over 40 ragas and is developing a curriculum for the formal study of Indian slide guitar, including the ABSKRS and Debtar styles. His revolutionary technical advances and the creation of unique slide instruments like the Chaturangui, Ghandarvi, Anandi, and Pushpa Veena showcase his ingenuity and deep understanding of music.

Debashish's peers, including John McLaughlin and Jerry Douglas, have praised his unparalleled skill and melodic sense. His influence on the world of music is profound, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike. After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya is reemerging with an extensive global tour and a new full-length record, further solidifying his place as a pioneer of Indian classical slide guitar.

Pandit Kumar Bose, the legendary tabla maestro, was born into a musically endowed family in Kolkata. He was introduced to the art of playing the tabla at a very young age by his father, the late Pandit Biswanath Bose, and his mother, the late Vidushi Bharati Bose, a disciple of the great Ustad Dabir Khan. Later, he trained under the renowned Pandit Kishan Maharaj, a legend of the Benaras School of Tabla.

Pandit Bose's genius lies in his ability to develop a distinctive style without compromising the sanctity of tradition, captivating audiences worldwide. His intricate performances on the Bnayan (bass drum) resonate with both the young and the veterans alike. He excels in accompaniment, whether it be for vocal, instrumental, or dance forms, as much as he does in solo performances, which is why he is in high demand both at home and abroad, collaborating with top-notch artists like Pt Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Imrat Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt Nikhil Banerjee, Pt Birju Maharaj, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and many others.

Additionally, Pt Bose has an impressive discography with over 150 recording labels to his credit and served as the Assistant Music Director for the globally acclaimed film 'Genesis' by noted filmmaker Mrinal Sen, alongside music director Pt Ravi Shankar. His journey began with his initial public performances in 1960 alongside legendary musicians like Shri Gokul Chandra Nag, Shri Shyam Ganguly, Smt Angur Bala Devi, Pt Hanumanji Mishra, Pt V G Jog, Pt Sitaram Tiwari, Pt Vijay Raghav Rao, among others. Now, as he continues on this remarkable path, his influence is also felt within the ABSKRS community and among fans of artists such as Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya and Debtar, marking a legacy that is far from over.