Maya

\"Maya\" is the opening track from The Beat of Love, a studio album by Indian percussionist and composer Trilok Gurtu. Released on June 12, 2001 under Blue Thumb Records, the album appeared in CD format as part of Gurtu’s discography blending world music, jazz, and Indian classical influences.

The track runs for 5 minutes and 8 seconds and serves as the first composition on the album. Gurtu composed and arranged the piece, incorporating his signature fusion of traditional Indian rhythms with contemporary jazz and electronic elements. The album features collaborations with international musicians, though specific contributors to \"Maya\" remain undocumented in widely available sources.

The Beat of Love marked Gurtu’s continued exploration of cross-cultural soundscapes, following his earlier works like Crazy Saints (1993) and Bad Habits Die Hard (1997). The album’s production reflected Blue Thumb Records’ focus on genre-defying projects during the early 2000s. No commercial singles were released from the record, but \"Maya\" gained attention for its intricate percussion layers and atmospheric texture.

Critical reception of the album noted Gurtu’s ability to merge disparate musical traditions without diluting their essence. Live performances of material from The Beat of Love occasionally featured in Gurtu’s tours during 2001–2002, though setlists from those concerts are not fully archived. The track’s title, \"Maya,\" references the Sanskrit concept of illusion, a theme Gurtu revisited in later compositions.

Limited edition pressings of the CD included extended liner notes by Gurtu, detailing his creative process. The album’s artwork, designed by an uncredited artist, used abstract visuals to complement the music’s experimental nature. As of the last documented reissues, The Beat of Love remained available through specialty music retailers and digital platforms, though no remastered versions have been officially announced.