Viral 11-year-old guitar player Maya Neelakantan pays a visit to Jason Becker – and leaves with a Danelectro gifted by the guitarist himself
Performing for an artist you admire is daunting at any age – unless you’re Maya Neelakantan. The 11-year-old’s fusion of South Indian Carnatic and heavy metal has taken the guitar world by storm, impressing Tool’s Adam Jones and even being labelled the “future of heavy metal” by Testament‘s Chuck Billy after she joined the band onstage in September.
The latest metal legend to experience the full force of Neelakantan’s shredding was Jason Becker. The young prodigy paid a “very emotional” visit to Becker’s home, treating the ex-Cacophony guitarist to some improvised riffing.
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Though Becker has been unable to perform himself since his ALS diagnosis in 1989, his love for music has always been present. Just last year, he told Guitar World how he still writes music with just his eyes. And, while Becker couldn’t join in with Neelakantan’s performance, the young virtuoso could feel his joy through his gaze.
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A post shared by Maya Neelakantan (@mayaneelakantan)
Taking to Instagram, Neelakantan reflects on the experience fondly. “Today I met Jason Becker – a legend who has inspired me so much now after a very emotional day I got the honour to spend with him at his home,” she writes. “This experience has deeply touched my heart in a way I never expected. When I met him, just with his eyes I could see how happy he was.”
Becker communicated with Neelakantan with his eyes, typing messages out for her. “He said he was very happy to see me and he really enjoys it when I play Carnatic music,” she explains. “We talked for a while & during that time I could see how expressive he was. I then wanted to play some Carnatic music to him.”
Inspired, Neelakantan knocked out a five minute Raga scale improv for Becker, using one of his very own Fender Stratocasters. “After I played, I could see how happy and smiling he was,” she says. “I was so honoured that I could play for him.”
And it seems Becker was equally as honoured to hear Neelakantan perform. Quickly after, the guitar legend asked the young guitarist to try out his Danelectro Sitar guitar – and, upon hearing her play, insisted she took it home with her.
“After I finished, he said that I play really well and I could take it!” Neelakantan writes. “He gifted me this beautiful guitar! I had goosebumps getting his blessings! This was an emotional unforgettable day.”
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A post shared by Maya Neelakantan (@mayaneelakantan)
Neelakantan notes that she left with more than just a guitar – but a renewed admiration for Becker’s strength and passion. “He now inspires me so much… even after all he’s been through, he still continues his passion and even still creates music,” she enthuses.
This isn’t the first time Neelakantan has been gifted a guitar for her riffing efforts. Adam Jones was blown away when he heard her cover of Tool’s 15-minute prog epic 7empest back in 2022, and mailed the then 9-year-old riffer his signature Gibson Les Paul.
Neelakantan also made waves on this year’s America’s Got Talent, making it all the way to the quarter finals. Simon Cowell deemed her a “rock goddess”.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
