DIVINE MOMENTS

Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt: Like his superstar teacher Pandit Ravi Shankar, is an ambassador of Indian music, bringing a new sound to a new generation. Not content to play traditional Indian instruments, he redesigned a Hawaiian slide guitar to create the mohan veena to give musical classics a new dimension. For his efforts, he has scored a Grammy for Best World Music Album, been awarded one of India’s highest civilian honors for his work in the arts, and won over fans for his unique brand of Indian classical and cross-cultural music. Bhatt has attracted international acclaim for his “Indianization” of the Hawaiian slide guitar, reborn as the mohan veena. Adding 14 more strings than its predecessor and giving it a new design, Bhatt applies sitar,sarod and veena (traditional Indian stringed instruments) playing techniques to his new creation. A top disciple of Pt. Ravi Shankar, he has received many honors for his work in the arts, including India’s prestigious award Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Academy award and for his album A Meeting by the River with musician-songwriter Ry Cooder. He has performed at many different venues around the world, including Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and the Crossroads Guitar Festival, founded by British guitarist Eric Clapton.