Globally acclaimed bass player, composer, and virtuoso Mohini Dey took center stage at the prestigious NDTV World Summit 2026 in New Delhi, delivering an electrifying opening performance that set the tone for the two-day global conference. Accompanied by her mother and performing alongside her band, the 29-year-old musician captivated audiences with dynamic renditions of her signature tracks, including The Dey Way, while passionately championing the cause of independent artistry.
Reflecting on her meteoric rise from the bustling streets of Mumbai to international concert stages, Dey emphasized that her artistic identity remains inextricably anchored in her Indian heritage. In a moving address, she articulated a profound sense of gratitude for her upbringing in a pluralistic society:
“I am fortunate to be born in India where we have so many different cultures… We have mosques and temples existing with each other. We don’t judge, we respect each other.”
She further elaborated on how her hometown serves as the creative crucible for her boundary-pushing sound, noting, “My music is the representation of my foundation, which is Mumbai, India.”
A Lifelong Dedication to Mastery and Global Collaboration
Dey’s journey to becoming one of the most sought-after bassists of her generation is a testament to rigorous discipline and early immersion in music. Introduced to the bass guitar by her session-musician father before the age of three, she received her first instrument at nine and began performing professionally at 11. Describing her intense formative years, she revealed the deep personal sacrifices required to achieve world-class proficiency:
“You have to put time into a relationship. So, this [playing the bass] is like having a relationship with your instrument. I didn’t party, go to movies or shopping. I had no friends growing up. I just had school and music. Discipline is important for success.”
Over the years, her extraordinary dexterity and genre-fluid style—spanning jazz, rock, fusion, and funk—have earned her global recognition. Having collaborated with legendary Indian maestros such as A.R. Rahman, Salim-Suleiman, and Zakir Hussain, as well as international heavyweights like Steve Vai, Jordan Rudess, and Willow Smith, Dey has transcended geographical boundaries. Following her recent relocation to the United States to broaden her artistic horizons, she has spent the last three years spearheading extensive world tours, cementing her status as a trailblazing force redefining contemporary bass performance on the global stage.
