(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Grammy winner and inventor of the Mohan Veena slide guitar Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt tells us about making the world a better place through music
Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
This Friday night the Madinat Theatre will play host to a smorgasbord of musical styles as artists from across the globe unite for the ‘Sangam’ concert.
Indian classical music great Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt will be joined onstage by Armenian jazz pianist Samvel Gasparyan Gujarati tabla player Himanshu Mahant Lebanese bass guitarist Elie Afif Cuban saxophonist and clarinetist Joaquin Sosa and Mumbai percussionist Gino Banks son of the famous composer Louis Banks.
Jaipur native Bhatt is renowned as the creator of the Mohan Veena stringed instrument a slide guitar which sits on the lap.
A disciple of Ravi Shankar Bhatt came to international prominence after winning a Grammy for the 1993 album A Meeting by the River alongside American guitarist Ry Cooder.
More recently the 63-year-old has collaborated with the multi-talented musician Rupam Sarmah on the spiritual healing album Omkara – The Sound of Divine Love.
We spoke with Bhatt prior to his Dubai visit.
How did you come to be part of the Omkara project with Rupam Sarmah
Omkara was Rupam’s effort. Rupam had listened to and liked my music and he also was aware of the fact that I was a recipient of the Grammy Award. He was very keen on collaborating with me. He met me with the concept of the album Omkara and I accepted.
How does India’s spiritual identity infuse itself into your music
Indian classical music is closely integrated with spirituality. Music is the best form of meditation; it helps fine-tune the purification of the inner self. You connect with a higher power when you play Indian classical music.
Has the Mohan Veena been spreading in use and interest among fellow musicians in recent times
Yes very much. I have had many good followers both in terms of students who have learnt directly from me and others who have learnt the instrument through the internet. I’m happy to see this response.
Bhatt will be joined onstage by Joaquin Sosa Elie Afif Himanshu Mahant and Gino Banks
Do you think much about your legacy And what do you hope that legacy will be
Of course I think of my legacy. My younger son Salil is an established Mohan Veena artist and has performed in many countries while my younger son Saurabh is more into composing music. They both make me very happy.
Can music ever be a destructive force in your opinion
Never. Music always is constructive and generates positive energy. Even for a layman who has no musical training listening to music or singing oneself creates a positive mind.
With events such as this upcoming ‘Sangam’ concert do you find that you learn from its diverse musical and cultural elements
Collaborating with music and artists from different traditions is always a learning experience. You have to be very creative while working with musicians from other genres hence new ideas are generated within you. So yes the learning continues.
Do you ever listen to you old recordings for inspiration
(Laughs) Yes I do not only for inspiration but more for analysing and understanding how to improve – what I should have avoided or how I should have played a particular piece in a different way
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