Eric Fraser’s training in Indian classical music on the bansuri flute occurred in the Guru-Sishya Parampara tradition, meaning that he received training in Indian classical music while living with his teacher (Guru – late Pandit Gopal Roy), in Kolkata, India.

Eric has received extensive taleem (oral teachings) and his flute playing conveys a purity of tone, authenticity and tradition. The “sur” (tone and tune) of Eric’s flute lineage has a unique sound in the landscape of Indian music, telling the story of an old world Kolkata vibe through a gayaki ang or “singing style” of bansuri flute. 


Eric is also a multi-instrumentalist, composer and recording artist. His original music expresses the contours of a true cross cultural blending, featuring eclectic American styles and psychedelic long form instrumental music, with a felt connection to the meditative and ecstatic forms of Indian music. He is a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) and a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT). Eric is a co-founder of the Brooklyn Raga Massive and a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar for Indian classical music. Eric is the founder and director of Sound and Nature, a licensed mental health practice in Hudson, NY.

ericfraser.com

soundandnature.com

Naren Budhakar was born and brought up in the Indian classical music tradition. He began performing tabla at a young age. A disciple of Tabla Maestro Ustad Shabbir Nisar, Naren has played with prominent instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers including Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj, and Shaed Parvez. He has performed at prestigious venues in the U.S. and Europe, providing Tabla accompaniment for various musical genres. He is also a disciple of Shri Aditya Khandwe, a virtuoso vocalist of the Gwalior style of classical Indian vocal music.

Naren is co-director of the East-West School of Music at Ananda Ashram and as a faculty member teaches and performs regularly.

AnandasAhram.org/East-WestSchoolofMusic