Album Notes

Born into a family where music was a lifestyle, Neeraj's talent was an inevitable legacy. He imbibed music at a tender age following the footsteps of his father who was an accomplished sitarist himself, and gave his first public performance at the age of seven.

Neeraj is often described as a painter at the Sitar, weaving musical images in the air with his dense, mystic and technically perfect playing. The remarkably fresh music originating from the "canvas" is attested to by his immense popularity among music lovers. Neeraj is a composer who has mastered both classical technique and adroit improvisation and who, at the same time, is exceptionally comfortable as a performer too.

Shagird (student) of USTAD SHUJAAT KHAN Neeraj belongs to the Ustad Vilayat Khan Gharana of Hindustani Music. Neeraj has managed to, in time, develop a niche for himself in the music scenario in Delhi as one of the most versatile Sitarists of our times. He follows the "GAYAKI ANG" (Vocals Style) of playing "The fast Taan and melodious and steady Alaap needs special mention. His creativity and speed has enabled him to traverse through different "raags" and "taans" and churn out such compositions that has sent many audiences into dizzy raptures.

Neeraj has performed widely in the country at various venues and auspicious occasions with other great Masters and recently he successfully completed a tour of South Africa where he performed all over the country at various major festivals including the Vishwa Hindu Conference.

As the Founder President of the "Young Spirit, New Delhi", and President of Ustaad Vilayat Khan Music Foundation, New Delhi, Neeraj has been promoting upcoming and deserving artists by putting his talent to good (charitable) causes. He has organized concerts in aid of The National Foundation for Communal Harmony, an organization working under the wings of The Ministry of Home Affairs for the Children affected by the riots in India.

Since 2002 when Neeraj immigrated to Canada, he has been engaged in various musical events which involve performances all over Ontario and as far as Washington and New York. Neeraj has been actively involved with productions on television and radio. Asian Television Network, and Omni 2, are few of the many channels of television where Neeraj does weekly shows that not only entertains, but also educates, creating an awareness of traditional Indian classical music among his viewers. McMaster radio is another medium where he does a weekly show educating and entertaining his listeners. Through CBC radio, he has been sharing his work as well. Believing in his work, Neeraj also runs Raga Music School which caters to students in Toronto and surrounding areas as far as Hamilton. His concerts and lecture demonstrations on radio, television and on stage has been highly appreciated.
In Canada, Neeraj has also been fortunate and honoured by various organizations. Neeraj is on the Board of Directors for one of the frontline organizations in Hamilton for immigrant artists, Immigrant Culture and Arts Association (ICAA). Neeraj has also been a member of the selection committee for Ontario Arts Council (OAC). Neeraj has commissioned himself to the promotion, inculcation and sowing the seeds of classical and world music among the youth of today and virtually affect a renaissance of Indian Classical Music in the wake of our rendezvous with the new Millennium. This has led him to associate closely with schools and young children at different levels and spheres.

Neeraj's debut musical album, Sounds of India, which is recorded partly in both India and Canada, has been one of the best sellers in the music community and has also recently been awarded Dofasco Hamilton Music Awards for special instrumentalist of the year, and best cultural recording of the year.

Ragaffaire, which is the brainchild of Neeraj Prem, is a team of musicians from various parts of India and Canada who have come together to create a music ensemble. The group's mission is to explore the beautiful Indian ragas, blending them with Canadian nuances and rendering them in a very simple yet appealing format that can be imbibed by everyone. The ensembles strength lies in the fact that it has a potent blend of musicians who are devoted to their art. Their unified objective is to provide quality music. Each of the band members has had rigorous training under teachers from the best Gharanas (schools) in India. The Ragaffaire is the confluence of the sitar, santoor, flute, dilruba, guitar, rubab, mridangam, western drums and the tabla. The specialty of Ragaffaire is the different formats in which they present their music. It can sometimes be in the form of jazz, folk, or pure classical music. The other uniqueness of this ensemble is that a new musical instrument is introduced as part of the ensemble each time the group performs. Thus, as this creates new vibes and sounds, Ragaffaire is determined to touch the souls of their listeners.

Neeraj hopes to touch the hearts and awaken interest among the people to enjoy the spirit and uphold the values of music, our age-old cultural heritage. This has been the driving force behind this "Yatra."