TEDxMICA

Bertie da Silva, is one of India’s most original rock musicians. An entirely self-taught guitarist, da Silva has been writing music since the early 80s. Songs like Tin Pan Alley and Sir Lancelot have passed into almost legendary local memory. But in the mid-80’s da Silva’s interests turned from music to academics and the next 15 odd years were spent teaching English Literature at St. Xavier’s College. Around 2002 the spirit began to move again. And he took up teaching himself classical guitar. His forays into classical music opened the dormant spaces in his mind and the songs began to flow, new, different, contemporary. His musical genes go back to the hip music of the 60s and 70s but the song writer had by now assimilated tradition and was ready to break out in challenging and exciting new directions Then a chance reunion with old college musician friends resulted in an impromptu gig in April 2006 that played to a packed venue of fans old and new. He put together a backing band in 2008 and has played a series of concerts to rave reviews. In 2010 he added a novel act to his live set: acoustic with friend Amyt Datta, an act which combines voice with virtuoso guitars playing in tandem. Da Silva also performs a solo set accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica. Unwilling to travel extensively because of academic committments, (da Silva is currently Dean of Arts in St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata,) he recognizes that the time may be ripe to take his music to other audiences, which is why he travels to Ahmedabad to perform in solo concert for you.