Eric and Paramananda, "gurubhai's" having both learned from Pt. Gopal Roy, will provide an educational discussion and demonstration about the Gayaki style of bansuri playing.
Paramananda Roy was initiated into music by his father and eminent flutist, the late Pandit Gopal Roy, descendant of Pandit Pannalal Ghosh gharana, popularly known as Panna babu's gharana; from whom he received extensive taleem for over 19 years. He has learned a specific fingering technique which was first applied by Pandit Gour Goswami who learned it from legendary sarodiya and multi-instrumentalist Baba Alauddin Khan. Academically bright Paramananda has topped the instrumental department of Rabindra Bharati University in both B.A. and M.A. He has also received the Nikhil Banerjee and Nirod Boron memorial award presented by Rabindra Bharati University. He is a direct 'B-High' grade artiste of All India Radio since 2013 and has performed extensively in Kolkata and outside West Bengal. He joined ITC SRA as a Scholar in March 2016, where he is training under Guru Pandit Partha Chatterjee.
Eric Fraser, having deeply studied North-Indian classical flute for 17 years from the late Pandit Gopal Roy, is one of the few exponents of the original "gayaki-ang" or vocal style of bansuri flute. Eric's bansuri playing rings with authenticity and pure Indian tone, carrying a distinct and masterful sound imbibing a pure Gharana (Lineage).
Eric Fraser is also a multi-instrumentalist, educator, composer, and songwriter. Eric's orientation to Indian classical music serves as an inspiration for melody, and a creative tool for improvisation in original styles that incorporate voice, guitar, keyboard, electronics and looping.
Eric is also a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT) and brings his extensive musical skills to therapeutic work with children and adults. He is also a co-founder of the groundbreaking artist collective, Brooklyn Raga Massive