Born in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1963, Debashish Bhattacharya began learning classical Indian music from his parents in his childhood, and went on to a groundbreaking career. His invention, the 24-string Hindustani slide guitar, was modified from the Western guitar to create an entirely new instrument that is nevertheless faithful to the classical Indian tradition. Bhattacharya has collaborated with the American slide guitarist Bob Brozman and the jazz-fusion artist John McLaughlin of Shakti. He won a BBC World Music award for 2007, and his new album Calcutta Chronicles: Indian Slide Guitar Odyssey was released on April 8.