In 1994, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt came up with the astonishing album, A Meeting by the River, that went on to winning a Grammy Award that year. Though Bhatt hasn’t enjoyed the same level of international success since then, the maestro is confident he will make an impact with his latest album, Celebrations of Love, composed by his younger son, Saurabh Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. “This is the second time I am working with Saurabh. Let’s see how it turns out,” smiles Bhatt. Saurabh had composed the music for his album Music with Soul four years ago but is better known as the composer for Balaji Telefilms’ daily soaps.

The eight-track album is a fusion album— a mix of lounge music and classical Indian sounds. It has been created by collaborating with artistes like Rakesh Chaurasia on flute, Niladari Kumar on sitar and Shyam Raj on the saxophone. “The feel is Indian but there are touches of western influences with use of instruments like the saxophone, guitar and keyboard,” says Saurabh. With tracks titled Moments of love, Mist, Longings of love and Peace Within, the album is a blend of love, pathos, desires and dreams.

Legendary for his speed and faultless legato on the 19-string instrument, the Mohan Veena, Bhatt believes that the album follows a more contemporary sound. “At this point of time it’s all about my effort to blend music to make it sound a little more modern. I don’t see anything wrong with experimenting with the sound.” Bhatt acknowledges the dwindling audience for classical music but is optimistic that things will improve.