Neeraj Prem

 

Biography

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 imMen'se 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 develop a niche for himself in the music scene 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 deliver compositions that have sent many audiences into dizzy rapture.

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 founding 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. Neeraj has commissioned himself to the promotion, inculcation and sowing the seeds of classical music among the youth of today and virtually facilitatest a renaissance of Indian Classical Music in the wake of our rendezvous with the new Millenium. This has led him to associate closely with schools and young children at different levels and spheres.

Since 2002 when Neeraj immigrated to Canada, he has been engaged in various musical events which involve performances taking place all over Ontario and as far as Washington and New York. Neeraj is 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. 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 have been highly appreciated.

Neeraj, with his organization, "Young Spirit" and "Ustaad Vilayat Khan Music Foundation" thus 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"