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Hello Reader!!
Hello Reader!!
This is Arijit Bhattacharya,
This is Arijit Bhattacharya,
aka Mr Musical Brain
I’m a Ph.D. scholar in Cognitive Computational Neuroscience at the Mind Brain Body Society Lab, Department of Psychology, Ashoka University, India, working in collaboration with the National Neuroimaging Facility, National Brain Research Centre (NBRC). I am also an OxCIN Global Scholar 2025-26 at the Oxford Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford. I hold a dual degree (B.Tech. and M.Tech.) in Biotechnology from the School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, with a master’s dissertation from the Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). My research lies at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, with a focus on MR Spectroscopy, functional MR imaging, in vivo molecular dynamics, music cognition, emotion, and neuropsychological conditions. I am also deeply interested in how computational and statistical models, together with the principles of brain imaging technologies, can help us better understand the chemistry and dynamics of the human brain.
Music has been an inseparable part of my life since childhood. I began learning the Sitar at the age of 10 under the gudance of Shri. Bivas Samanta, rooted in the Bishnupur Gharana. After five years of training, I took a brief pause in my musical journey due to academic and personal commitments- a familiar chapter in many musicians’ lives. Later, I resumed my training under the guidance of Pt. Purbayan Chatterjee, aligning with the Senia Maihar Gharana, which brought a fresh perspective and deepened my connection with the instrument. Over the past 15+ years, my passion for Indian classical music has only grown stronger. Alongside the sitar, I gradually developed an interest in the Indian Bamboo Flute known as Bansuri. I began my flute training with Sri Saurabh Vartak and eventually started learning the flute from my Sitar guru Pt. Purbayan Chatterjee as well, since at the end of the day, I changed the instrument, the music remained the same. I also had learnt briefly from one of the famous flautists of the Indian Bansuri Sisters, Vidushi Debopriya Chatterjee. Today, I have the honor of learning the bansuri under both Pt. Purbayan Chatterjee and Vrindavan Gurukul ISM, a school of bansuri established by The Flute Maestro Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. In addition to the sitar and bansuri, I enjoy singing and learning other musical instruments such as Piano, Ukelele.
I started my blog, The Musical Brains, in 2020 simply out of curiosity and a desire to share. As someone naturally introverted, putting my thoughts out into the world felt both exciting and intimidating, but curiosity outweighed the hesitation. Over time, the blog evolved, and I renamed it Mr. Musical Brain to better reflect its growing identity and vision. Through this space, I aim to make complex ideas in neuroscience and music accessible, engaging, and thought-provoking for everyone. Whether you're a fellow researcher, musician, student, or just an inquisitive reader, I hope these writings not only inform but also inspire. Your presence and feedback are always welcome on this journey of learning and exploration.
For collaboration opportunities or permission to use any of my blogs, music, posters, illustrations, or videos, please feel free to get in touch via email:
arijitbhattacharyablog@gmail.com
Awards and Achievements
Awards and Achievements
IBRO Exchange Fellowship Award 2026 by the International Brain Research Organization.
Imaging For All Access Grant (i4a Access Grant) Award Funded by The Wellcome Trust and Administered by The Global Bioimaging - European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL (Germany).
OxCIN Global Scholar 2025-2026 Scholarship, Oxford Centre for Integrated Neuroimaging, The University of Oxford
Best Volunteer Award, by NSS KIIT.
1st Prize Winner, Instrumental category of Bharat Sanskriti Utsav 2021, organized by Hindustan Art and Music Society, Ministry of Culture. Govt. Of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Runners-up in the Achievement Award by the Centre of Excellence for the academic year 2020-2021.
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