Ma, I’m in the middle of soundcheck. I will call you in a few minutes,” guitarist-singer Dhruv Visvanath whispers into his mobile phone. The clock ticks on at Calcutta School of Music and 20 minutes later, the phone rings again. This time there is no escaping. After guiding his mother (Jyoti Singh Visvanath) from the Windows Explorer button to a folder containing family photographs, the Delhi-based musician digs into a spicy rice preparation and says, “There’s no escaping calls from two women — my mother and my girlfriend (Niyati Singh).”
Featured on Acoustic Guitar magazine’s reputed 30 Great Guitarists Under 30 In The World list (alongside Ed Sheeran and Laura Marling) in 2014, the 25-year-old is on Lost Cause Tour of India, trying to pack his mind with as many stories about his family as he can lay his hands on while unpacking his suitcase at Stayzilla (a homestay platform) options across India. Back in Calcutta after 20 Diwalis, Dhruv spoke to t2 before his performance at Calcutta School of Music.
Your India tour (kicked off in Shillong on October 20 at Bacardi NH7 Weekender) is called Lost Cause. Why lost?
The idea is to visit places that have some significance to my family history; it’s about finding stories wherever we go.
And some of the stories you have found so far...
Shillong: My grandma (Usha Visvanath) said she had opened a nursery school in Duliajan (in Assam) around 50 years ago. One of her students now lives in Shillong. She’s all grown up and has kids of her own. I met her and found out how she grew up with my father. So there is this weird connection with Shillong, a place I haven’t been to before. I also went to Duliajan where my father and grandfather lived. My father (Shekhar Visvanath) spent his teen years there and I heard so many stories about him. I wish I grew up there.
Calcutta: I came here exactly 20 years ago on Diwali. I saw so many amazing things, like Science City. I stayed somewhere near Tollygunge Club. During the two weeks, we also went to Darjeeling. The difference 20 years have made to the city is stark. One trick I learnt during my stay was stretching out an arm to just about touch the wall. Without moving, bend the elbow and rub it. Try touching the wall again. Dude, it’s so cool! This time I tried biryani at Arsalan… the mutton was so good, they cook their food well.
Visakhapatnam: My grandfather was born there and my great grandfather was the first port chief there.
Hyderabad: My mom grew up there.
Chennai: My parents had their first marital home.
Cochin: My brother (Dhananjay) and I stayed there together after he was born there.
DHRUV’S ABCS
Name: Dhruv Visvanath
Age: 25
Based in: New Delhi
Studied: BA in geography from Shaheed Bhagat Singh College in Delhi
Claim to fame: Featured on Acoustic Guitar magazine’s 30 Great Guitarists Under 30 In The World list of 2014
Stream now: The Enigma, Rain, Orbit, Caves and Four
So, where are you from?
I was born in Delhi but as soon as I was born, my dad got transferred to England, then Zambia. After changing jobs, we stayed in Bombay for eight years, then moved to Hong Kong for another five years. Then we went to England again where he passed away about eight years ago. Ever since, we have been living in Delhi. I don’t know where I am from. I am half Punjabi, half South Indian.
Let’s get down to music. You were featured on Acoustic Guitar magazine’s 30 Great Guitarists Under 30 In The World list. A big high?
I was very surprised, especially because I know the great number of great guitarists in India. I didn’t expect to be there. I have realised the importance of being on the list… a list that mentions artistes I am a fan of. At first I thought it was all a joke and some guy was trying to pull a prank. It’s an achievement but at the same time, it’s an achievement that has already taken place and I should use it to fuel my future.
What was your first musical instrument?
First I learnt the piano because my mom wanted me to. She said it’s a very attractive instrument and women are fond of pianists. As a seven-year-old, I had no idea what I could do with that information! As I was learning the piano, I chanced upon the guitar, which looked like a fun instrument to play. With time and with the passing away of my father, I found it therapeutic to write music on the guitar. There were guitarists like Andy McKee, Don Ross, Antoine Dufour… I saw their videos… simply amazing. For the last 12 years I have been teaching myself to play the instrument. The Internet has always been there for me. I feel like a modern-age student.
Do you have names for your guitars?
I have seven guitars — Andrea, Lucy, Catherine, Naomi, Sophie, Sara and Lauren. My keyboard is called Christa and my laptop is Betty. You know about inanimate objects… we say about a car, she runs like a beauty. For me it’s the same with my instruments. A person once said: ‘Why are you spanking your guitar?’ Knowing India, I cannot really give my guitars masculine names. So, I said: ‘I’m spanking Sophie!’
Okay! And where do you compose music?
There’s a room in my home that almost looks like a library. This is where I compose. Now, this may sound funny, but the bathroom is the best place to compose! The sound of that room is such that you get instant feedback, a reverb. I have written some of my best music in the bathroom!
You have been singing lately.
I was never comfortable singing but now I feel it’s something I can learn. I have spent months singing in the shower and have tried to copy other artistes… sometimes I would listen to Beyonce! I wanted to improve the way I throw my voice. My voice is another instrument at my disposal.
Mathures Paul
I fell in love with the guitar because.... Tell t2@abp.in
