On Calcutta Chronicles: Indian Slide-Guitar
Odyssey (Riverboat), the Indian slide guitarist
delivers a musical journey through the centuries of
guitar playing in his native country. Using three unique
guitars that he designed himself, each raga explores
influences ranging from Gypsy to Sufi with deep
sensitivity and free-flowing movement between past and
present.
Bhattacharya began studying Indian classical music at
an early age, but after discovering the guitar, he began
to explore the instrument's nuances while creating new
sounds as he learned more about it.
Though clearly traditional in its format, the music
goes beyond the border of the country, drawing Western
influences from jazz and other sounds. Accompanied by
tablas, a sitar and and some vocals, the melodies are
both intriguing and soothing at the same time. On a live
Bhattacharya improvises much of the material as he goes
along, drawing inspiration from everything around him,
taking the listener along into his highly enticing
musical journey