Linhardt said the musicians must order picks from the U.S. since “finding good stiff picks in India is not really possible.” “Koustav was using a blue chip, and Souvik and Subhankar were using Wegens,” she said. “Also, my new mando buddy Subhankar had to order his mandolin from Florida. They do make mandolins in India, but not of the type and caliber that he wanted to be able to play bluegrass.” “Souvik had a guitar made by a local luthier there in Kolkata named Mintu Biswas, who makes Woodenheart Guitars,” Linhardt said. “There are some good luthiers I hear making guitars now in India, but I personally have not tried many of them. I hear Mr. Biswas has also been building mandolins, charangos, ukuleles, and guitars.” By all appearances, the Indian musicians enjoyed having the opportunity to play 44
with an American bluegrass performer. “To meet anyone who plays bluegrass music is enchanting always, and it is even surprising to find someone like that in this part of the world,” said Grassy Strings member Souvik Hazra. He called the opportunity to perform with Linhardt “unforgettable.” He said he jammed on “traditional and standard bluegrass tunes” with Linhardt and her husband, Ian Poole. “Tara is so energetic that she brought us all the stories about the bluegrass festivals in the United States and its tradition,” he said, “how people spend their time in the Galax Festival, how they jam all through the day, about the camper vans, the moonshine, and whatnot!” “Playing and learning bluegrass music and being in a distant land which has no connection with the tradition or root of bluegrass music is challenging,” Hazra continued. “But while listening to Tara