Celebrated percussionist Pt Tanmoy Bose feels the rich gharana of Indian classical music can be better represented by instrumentalists who can incorporate the taan into western tools to make it a rich tapestry.
"For instance an internationally known musician like Pt Debashis Bhattacharya who has given a new shape to the hawaiii guitar moulding it into an Indian version of guitar has introduced a new ecletic genre - blending the west and our very own Indian and Bengali essences. This new form 'Slide Guitar' has added a whole new meaning and range to stringed acoustics unheard by the West previously," Pt Ravi Shankar's favourite table artiste told PTI.
Tanmoy said the India International Guitar Festival, a five-day long classical Guitar carnival, will help a lot today's youngsters to be initiated to our very own contribution to the west instead of aping west.
"No issue with youths shaking heads and the whole body and holding a guitar in one hand and belting out western numbers. But music can be celebrated in a more serene and peaceful way,"Debashis said.
Tanmoy said, "I have plans to hold a Woodstock Kolkata in future and Debashis' initiative can be a precursor to that. It will prepare the ground and initiate our people to see on live performers from across globe."
The five-day carnival from January 7, dedicated to founder of Indian classical guitar Pt Brij Bhushan Kabra, a great influence in Debashis' musical odyssey, will witness performances by Johannes Moller(Sweden), Nick Rheinberger (Australia).
"This is not a festival. This is about bonding. This is the only universal language," Kabra said.
