Nadaka

In Sanskrit, Nada is the origin of sound and Ka is the one who carries it within. Born in Quebec in 1958, he learned to play the guitar at an early age. At 16, his quest for life's deeper sense led him on a pilgrimage along that wondrous road which infallibly brought him to India, which he immediately adopted as his country. Dedicated to the ideals of India's great revolutionary yogi, Sri Aurobindo, he has been living in the international settlement of Auroville, in South India, since 1974. His love of Indian culture and passion for Indian music led him to study a number of traditional music styles, both on Indian stringed instruments and vocally. He has designed and built an acoustic guitar with scalloped neck and moveable frets which is specially adapted for the subtle tones of Indian music. Skillfully blending the modal techniques of Ragas with chords and harmonies more akin to Western music, he has developed his own musical language. Working in close collaboration with many famous and outstanding Indian musicians, Nadaka has played an active part in the contemporary movement of Indian music. Nadaka & Gopika presently live in Portland, Oregon where Gopika is currently pursuing a Masters in Craft & Design at the Pacific Northwest College of Art. They perform concerts and offer workshops in Vedic chanting and continue their journey exploring life and creating new music. Owner of label Rain Tree Records. Rain Tree Studio, Auroville is his recording studio.