India can show West how to strum classical guitar: Pt Bose

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.