Hindol Deb

Sitarist and Composer Hindol has been exploring the infinite combinations in the Crossover of Indian music with various other genres like Contemporary Western Classical, Jazz, Flamenco, Nordic folk music. He was initiated into Indian Classical Music at the age of 5 by his father Sri Panchanan Sardar. Thereafter he went on to learn from different other imminent Gurus like Pandit Santosh Bannerji and Pandit Deepak Choudhury to finally find his own Individuality and sound. He finished Master studies in jazz Improvisation from the Hochschule für Musik, Köln, Germany.
Indian classical being the only genre using all the microtones between an Octave, Hindol uses this possibility to the fullest. With a high technical finesse and Knowledge of Ragas and their psycho-acoustic effects, in a performance he binds them together to give a unique musical experience to listeners.
Hindol has collaborated with Renaud Garcia Fons, Markus Stockhausen, Sebastian Gramss, Daksha Masruhwala, Marina Abrahmovic and played at festivals like Glasperlenspiel Festival, Rudolstadt Festival, Düsseldorf festival, Kulturernas Karneval, Festival Poussière du Monde among others.

• Indian classical music, including Sitar, is traditionally taught through oral transmission. The teacher teaches the student by singing or playing a phrase, which the student then repeats. This method emphasizes learning by ear, helping students internalize the music deeply.

• Instructors often use repetitive drills and imitation, where students closely follow the guru's playing. 
• Students learn phrases one by one, gradually combining them to form more complex compositions or improvisations.
• students are often asked to mentally imagine playing the instrument or visualizing the structure of a Raga. 
• Students are introduced to the basics before gradually moving to more complex concepts. 
• Students practice singing or playing these notes in various combinations to develop their understanding of scales and ragas.
• The student is asked to respond to a phrase by playing it back.
• Students are encouraged in exploring their creativity through improvisation while maintaining the integrity of the raga’s structure.
• Closely monitor a student's practice routine, often providing specific exercises or compositions to practice daily.
• Proving feedback on the student’s progress, emphasizing disciplined practice.
• Students are often taught the cultural contexts of the Ragas.