In the Fall of 2024, the Debashish Bhattacharya Legacy Trio comprising Debashish Bhattacharya (Chaturangui, Pushpa Veena), Anandi Bhattacharya (Vocals, Swarmandal), and Subashis Bhattacharya (Tabla) will present a unique tribute to the pioneering Indian recording artists of the early 1900s, to American audiences.
In those days, small shellac discs captured succinct renditions of Hindustani classical ragas and popular songs, creating a sensation among the wider populace. This golden era saw the rise of the first celebrity musicians; household names of the time.
The Trio will recreate the spirit and character of these early recordings, transporting audiences to the days when a family might have huddled around a radio to hear their favorite stars.
A Distinct Sound
With lilting, elegant vocal lines, labyrinthine slide guitar, driving complex rhythms of tabla, and the luminous sparkle of the Swarmandal (small harp), the evening will feature various combinations of members and instruments: the full ensemble, duets, and solo pieces.
Bhattacharya, the virtuosic slide guitarist, has revolutionized the way the instrument is played, experimenting with Indian Classical music and world fusion music to create a distinct sound. He also has designed and patented four types of guitar for performing raga music. These include the Chaturangui, a 26-string slide guitar; Pushpa Veena, a 25-string hybrid of the sarod and slide guitar; and the delicate Anandi, a 4-string slide ukulele.
Rounding out the Ensemble are Debashish’s daughter Anandi, a gifted vocalist and a rising star in her own right, and Debashish’s younger brother Subhasis, who is recognized as one of the greatest Indian classical percussionists of his generation.
Dates:
Thursday, October 10, 7:00PM
Stanford Live
Bing Concert Hall
327 Lasuen St. Stanford
Sunday, October 13 8:00pm
The Sweetwater Music Hall
19 Corte Madera Ave. Mill Valley