Some good news I’ve been sitting on: I have been recognized by the government of India for my work studying, promoting and performing the Hindustani slide guitar. For the project 75 Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, celebrating 75 years of India’s independence, the Ministry of Culture, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ashok Da Ranade Archives (ADRA) and Sangeet Natak Akademi collaborated with Mumbai Tarun Bharat news channel to publish the book ‘Bharatasya Sangeet-Vishwanubandh-Yatra: Introduction of India’s Cultural Pride in Interrelationship with World Music Culture.’ I was interviewed for inclusion in the book and have a whole chapter dedicated to my musical journey (thanks to Umang Kale for conducting the interview). My interview is featured alongside an interview with my original inspiration for learning this instrument, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

This is an immense honor for me. I was born in a rural town with a population of less than one thousand people. The nearest city to me growing up was Brattleboro, Vermont with 12k population. I come from a working class background and started working odd jobs at age 12. I could have never imagined all the amazing places and wonderful people that this music has opened up to me. I’m deeply grateful. It’s all so unbelievable honestly. Today, I am the only North American exponent of this instrument who performs on Indian stages.

I’m nowhere near finished yet. I will continue to learn, to do riyaz, teach and tour. This music has a very important role to play in our modern times: repairing our attention span, creating calm and meditative spaces and forwarding the genius of the ancestors into our contemporary moment. Give thanks for life, thank you for supporting me.