Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, also known as V. M. Bhatt, is an Indian Hindustani classical musician widely associated with the Mohan veena, a modified slide guitar that he designed and popularized. Born into a musical family in Rajasthan, Bhatt received early training from his parents, both practicing musicians, which shaped his grounding in Indian classical music. Based in Jaipur, he has remained active as a performer since 1965.

Bhatt’s career spans classical performances, recordings, and cross-cultural collaborations. He achieved global prominence with the Grammy Award–winning album A Meeting by the River (1993), recorded with American guitarist Ry Cooder. His work has also included collaborations with artists such as Taj Mahal, Béla Fleck, Jerry Douglas, and Simon Shaheen, expanding the reach of Indian classical instrumental music internationally.

He has performed at major festivals worldwide, including appearances at events such as the Crossroads Guitar Festival. His discography includes solo classical recordings, collaborative albums, and film soundtracks. Bhatt has received several honors, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Padma Shri, and the Padma Bhushan, recognizing his contribution to Indian classical music.