The
art of classical music is practiced in the India since ages. It is not
only a popular form of entertainment, but is also believed as the means
of connecting with the Divine Being. Expressed in two modes: vocal and
instrumental, Indian Classical Music has a rich heritage, which has been
kept alive by the maestros of Indian music. For a musician with
substance, the sky is the limit and one such gem to have touched the
heights is
Shri. Debashish Bhattacharya. With music in his
genes, he made debut at the age of four at All India Radio, Kolkatta,
where he was blessed by late Ustad Karamatullah Khan of Farukhabad
Gharana who accompanied him on the Tabla.
Belonging to the family of vocalists, where music has been
brought down from generations. Shri. Bhattacharya was introduced to
music by his father, Pandit Ajay Chakraborty, who himself is a renowned
vocalist. He with his siblings have carried on his legacy; his brother
Subhasis is Tabla maestro and other rhythm instruments, while his
sister, Sutapa is a very popular singer.
With exposure and age, his talent grew and his influence
could be seen in his fellow musicians. A trend setter, music is his
soul. He does not believe in Indian or western music but believes it as
a faith. His unconventional sense and understanding of music has made
him a versatile star, be it of Indian or other classical, jazz, blues,
folk or Nue Musi. Having expertise in many styles like Patiala, Gwalior,
Jaipur and other schools of Indian vocal tradition, Shri.Debashish
Bhattacharya has also mastered in instrumental music like Maihar and
Seniya in his style of the guitar playing. Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra is
his guru, under whom he took spiritual training for ten years.
His achievements are remarkable, at the age of twenty,
Shri.Debashish Bhattacharya received President of India Award for
winning National Music competition of All India Radio. He was also
awarded the Top Grade, the most prestigious given by Prasar Bharati. The
Director of International Slide Guitar Parivar, has attracted devotees
of music from around the globe. Debashish catches every heartbeat when
he performs. A trend setter, he has introduced a new finger style as
well as playing style which combines thumb and index finger, which
produces finest bole, fastest Taanas and strongest Jhala. He has also
written a syllabus on Indian Classical Guitar, the first of its kind,
including technical terminologies and abbreviations.
He is charismatic as a Musician, Revolutionary and Guru.
A deep relationship between vocal and instrumental styles can be seen in
his style of music. The power of Dhrupad, Khayal and Thumri, Gat kari
and his innovative explorations brings a mesmerizing effect in his
multi-coloured instrumental music. The beauty of such blend intoxicates
his audience the world over.
The versatile musician and vocalist is not only a trend
setter, but holds a list of achievements behind him. He is the only
musician in the history of the world music and Indian classical music
who has created a trinity of slide guitars. Christened as CHATURANGUI,
GANDHARVI, and ANANDI, Shri.Debashish Bhattacharya is an extremely
talented. His hard work and training under Gurus like Pandit Ajoy
Chakrabarty, the world-renowned vocalist and Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra,
the living legend and pioneer of Indian Classical Guitar has shaped
Debashish as the best Classical Guitarist today.
Shri. Debashish Bhattacharya, has has the honor of working
with the renowned music mastreos of India and overseas. The list is
endless, but a few names that need to be mentioned are Ustad Zakir
Hussain, John McLaughlin, Bob Brozman , Rene Lacaille and many more.
This great musician has performed American, Canadian, European and
African Jazz, World Music, Folk Festivals, National Slide Guitar
Festival etc., and has recorded for prestigious labels like P&M
records, River Boat Records, UNIVERSAL, Sa Re Ga Ma, HMV, MUSIC TODAY,
SAGARIKA, INDIA ARCHIVE MUSIC,
" We the musicians, who were born in early sixties, have grown
up in a fast changing world.”....Debashish Bhattacharya.
