About the Artists
Indrajit Bannerjee (Sitar Maestro)
Indrajit Banerjee is a leading sitar maestro of the Maihar Gharana, known for his technical brilliance, expressive depth, and refined artistry. Born into a distinguished musical lineage, he was trained by eminent gurus including Pandit Kartick Kumar, Pandit Manilal Nag, and Pandit Barun Kumar Pal, with early inspiration from his mother, a disciple of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee. An A-Grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, Indrajit is a recipient of numerous national and international honors, including the Sur Mani Award and induction into the South Asian Distinguished Artist Hall of Fame. He has performed extensively across Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Asia, collaborating with artists such as Sting, Steve Smith, Jeff Coffin, and Fareed Haque. Alongside a rich solo and collaborative discography, he remains a respected global performer and educator in Hindustani classical music.
Craig Pruess (composer/producer)
Craig Pruess (b. 1950) is an acclaimed American composer and gold- and platinum-selling producer based in the UK since 1973. His career spans record production for global artists such as Sir Cliff Richard, Sarah Brightman, and Anu Malik, with a Grammy-nominated debut album (War of Love, 1983). He has created music for major films including Bend It Like Beckham, Bride & Prejudice, and Bhaji on the Beach, and for television series like Beecham House and Peak Practice. A versatile world-music artist and arranger, Pruess has collaborated with Massive Attack, Katie Melua, Def Leppard, and many others, performed internationally (including with Mike Oldfield at the premiere of Tubular Bells II), and contributed to over 300 commercials. His work also includes sound design and collaborations with leading composers such as Danny Elfman and Rachel Portman—making him one of the most wide-ranging and influential figures in contemporary music.