Passions

Jay P. Desai, Sarod

By Shreyasi Singh

Photograph by Jiten Gandhi

Strategy reports and sarod are an unusual mix. But Jay P. Desai has strung them together. The founder-CEO of Universal Consulting, a Mumbai-based strategy firm, has been playing the sarod for 20 years now. On weekdays, he sits down for riyaaz between 10pm and 11pm. Desai invites a tabla player home twice a week for practice sessions. Otherwise, he simply plugs an iPad application into his Bose system and plays on—like a true consultant. Music was a big part of Desai's childhood since his doctor parents used to learn the sitar. He, however, began playing the sarod at 18. Today, the sarod is truly his own—with the help of a mechanic, Desai has customised his instrument, adding a drum set's metal stand that allows him to play standing up. "The sound is better, there is greater movement and I can play for long," says he. Point taken.

Raga Revelations
- Enjoys playing Khamaj and Bhairav
- Keen to learn Jhinjoti and Bihag this year

	EMAIL THIS ARTICLE	PRINT THIS PAGE