Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya Inducted into World Music Hall of Fame
Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya is a famous musician from India who plays the slide guitar in a special way that fits Indian classical music.
He was the first Indian to be honored in the World Music Hall of Fame.
He started playing music when he was very young and even performed on the radio at age four.
He created new instruments like the Chaturangui to make Indian classical music sound even better.
He learned from a famous teacher and worked with many other musicians from around the world.
He believes in practicing a lot and teaching others about music.
He thinks instrumental music needs more support in India and is working to make that happen.
Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya is the first Indian artist inducted into the World Music Hall of Fame.
He is a master of the Hindustani slide guitar and has innovated original instruments like the Chaturangui.
Bhattacharya began playing guitar at age three and performed on All India Radio at four.
He trained under Pandit Brij Bhushan Kabra, focusing on discipline and spiritual approach to music.
His instruments are designed to capture the nuances of traditional Indian instruments while being authentic to Hindustani classical music.
- Who
- Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya, a master of the Hindustani slide guitar and innovator of Indian classical music instruments.
- What
- Induction into the World Music Hall of Fame and a discussion on his musical journey and contributions.
- When
- The interview and induction details are not specified, but his career spans decades.
- Where
- Kolkata, India, and various global locations for performances and collaborations.
- Why
- To honor his significant contributions to Indian classical music and his innovative use of Western instruments to express Indian classical traditions.
- Name
- Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya
- Birth Year
- 1963
- Birthplace
- Kolkata, India
- Instruments
- Hindustani slide guitar, Chaturangui, Gandharvi, Anandi, Pushpa Veena
- Notable Collaborations
- John McLaughlin, Jerry Douglas, Bob Rossman, Derek Trucks, Vikku Vinayakram, Zakir Hussain
- Institute
- Bhattacharya School of Universal Music
- Hall of Fame Induction
- First Indian artist inducted into the World Music Hall of Fame