Based in Dallas, Texas, Vatsal is a musician dedicated to the tradition of North Indian classical music, often referred to as the Hindustani classical. Growing up in a family where music was never a luxury but essential to being human, Vatsal spent his early years learning Hindustani classical and listening to various genres of music. During the freshman years of his engineering studies, he embraced the sitar as his main expression for music -- under the tutelage of Ghulam Rasul Khan (disciple of Ustad Rais Khan), an All India Radio artist from Ahmedabad, India.

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The formative years of his musical journey (sitar yatra) began under the guidance of his revered guru, his idol, and inspiration - Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee. A proponent of the gayaki style - vocalization of sound - of sitar playing and one of the leading exponents of the famous Imdadkhani gharana, Pt. Mukherjee is renowned for his virtuosity and has received international acclaim. He is heralded as the guiding path for the next generation of up-and-coming sitarists. Mr. Mukherjee took him under his wings in the late 90s, a path laden with disciplined training, uncompromising routines, and relentless practice. Vatsal studied with him at the Rotterdam World Music Conservatory in Holland for a few years and continues to visit him in Kolkata, India, to seek further guidance.

 

To share these classical gems and his musical and cultural experiences, Vatsal serves as a performer and a teacher of this ancient tradition of classical music. Over the years, he has devised an English-friendly music notation system that enhances the understanding of the inherently oral tradition of Indian classical music. Vatsal has been performing in various festivals in the US and India and has been imparting teachings to many aspiring students for over 25 years. Over the years, Vatsal has published several albums including, 'Lone Star Sitar' - a world music fusion album, in collaboration with a Grammy award-winning musician Art Greenhaw. This album is available for download on Apple Music and Spotify.