Debashish Bhattacharya, born on January 12, 1963, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, is an Indian classical musician, singer, and composer known for innovative work as a lap slide guitarist. He began playing guitar at three and debuted on All India Radio at four. Bhattacharya designed a first Chaturangui instrument at 15, creating the Hindustani Slide Guitar genre. He received the President of India Award in 1984 for winning a national music competition. Notable collaborations include working with John McLaughlin's Remember Shakti band from 2000 to 2001 and contributing to the Outlaw Ocean Music Project in 2021. Releases include the acclaimed albums Mahima (2003), 3: Calcutta Slide-Guitar (2005), and Calcutta Chronicles: Indian Slide Guitar Odyssey (2009), which earned a Grammy nomination. Other notable albums include Beyond the Ragasphere (2012) and Hawaii to Calcutta: A Tribute to Tau Moe (2017).
