Praful

Praful is a multi-instrumental artist, vocalist & live looping master of a New Era. His music is a crossover and live channeling of ethnic/traditional and modern styles, drawing inspiration from indigenous folk songs, sacred chants, South-American & European styles, Indian ragas, shamanic trance, Jazz and world electronic music. It comes from the heart, as an expression of gratitude to the mystery and sacredness of life on Earth, as a call for celebration.
As he drops into the space between the notes and weaves his spell, he invites soul searching, calling you to journey towards that which is of the highest calibre within you. “…it’s like the universe is making love to me.”


In 1992, after having completed his studies of Jazz Sax & Flute at the Amsterdam Conservatory (AHK), Praful went on a spiritual quest to India. He meditated in the Ashram of the enlightened mystic Osho and learned the Indian Bamboo Flute (Bansuri) with Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

Equally fascinated by Brazilian music, he went to live a year in Brazil and immersed himself in the music scene of Rio de Janeiro. Over the years, all those influences integrated into his own brand of Sacred World Fusion, first presented in 2001 on his album ‘One Day Deep.’

Released in 2003 in the USA, the album became a major success in the US-Jazz scene — US-Billboard Chart notations and the #1 radio hit SIGH were accompanied by extensive touring. Several radio singles and 2 more albums in similar Chillout-style followed.

In 2007, his heart was calling for a change — his busy life as an entertainer and bandleader felt increasingly empty and did not bring happiness. He went on a quest for his true calling.
“My heart was longing to melt in love and joy with other hearts, to disappear in sound and silence, to become one with all,” says Praful. “Music is my gift to those who are ready to travel with me into the depth of Being – music can help you to awaken. Once my life purpose revealed itself to me, I had to live it!”

Since then, new music and projects have been birthed: 'Selva Sagrada', an album inspired by the magic, mystery and sacredness of our Mother Earth, inspired a series of dance remixes cooked up by some of the best (Ecstatic) Dance DJ's from around the world: Mose, Yemanjo, Kareem Raihani, Binder, Martyn Zij and Bravon. The Spirited Tribe Trilogy recorded Live in one studio session (‘Silence Speaks’, ‘Call of the Beloved’, ‘Earth Tones’), two meditative Solo albums ('Where Spirits Live', 'Pure'), a Sufi-inspired song collection ('Mirror of the Heart'), devotional Sanskrit Mantras ('Into Being'), several releases with his dance project Red Fulka ('We Are One' and several singles and EP's), a collaboration with Mantra singers Satyaa & Pari ('Om For Yoga'), the tribally rooted Duo with Didgeridoo player Sika ('Quintessence'), tantric music with singer Peruquois ('Breathing Love'), several guided meditations and even classical infused music by Erik Satie ('The Silent Side of Satie'). He also co-creates and records regularly guided meditations with his partner Vimal G. Gabrielsen, the Tantra teacher Ma Ananda Sarita and others.

His latest master piece 'Sun on your Wings' (released February 2024) is a collection of positive, heartwarming songs inspired by nature and human connections. This solo album features a blend of short and longer pieces, including instrumental and vocal tracks in English, Spanish, and fantasy languages. Drawing inspiration from indigenous folk, South-American, African, and European styles, as well as sacred plant ceremonies like the Cacao ceremony.
The album title was inspired by a message from indigenous grandmothers, urging us in these changing times to be gentler on ourselves, and embrace a new era of yin, more feminine living.
«Look up. A breeze is stirring. Feel the sun on your wings.”
It is medicine music – medicine for the heart.

Praful is a regular guest on many festivals and gatherings throughout the world, giving concerts solo, with one of his projects, and playing Healing events together with his partner Vimal Gabrielsen. He is also world-renowned for his work/performances with Eckhart Tolle, Dave Koz, Deva Premal & Miten, Swati Natekar, Carlos Nakai, Jai Uttal, Peruquois, Maneesh de Moor, Ma Ananda Sarita, Marc Antoine, Adani & Wolf, Nippy Noya, Armando Peraza, Laura Fygi, Mola Sylla, Kareem Raihani, Robertinho Silva, Armandinho, David Steindl-Rast, Gerardo Rosales, Monte LaRue, Sika, Holiwater Project, Sudha, Carrie Tree, Project 2000, Hardsoul, DJ Maestro, DJ Lucien Foort and many others.

Praful's 10+ solo albums garnered great international success. He keeps on composing and playing new music constantly, and he will keep doing so as long as he breathes. «Why stop, when you do what you love?»

Teacher and bestselling author Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now) finds Praful’s music «tremendously beautiful and deeply touching» and has invited him several times to play for his talks.

“As he weaves his spell with his sax, or invites soul-searching with his flute, or ignites you to dance to abandon, he is in each and every note, inviting you to journey towards that which is of the highest caliber within you.”
(Ma Ananda Sarita, Tantra teacher)
“Krishna is playing and singing through Praful”
Brandon Bays, USA (inspirational teacher, healer, bestselling author ‘The Journey’)
“He plays … without meaning to announce he has heard and learnt from a world master, God of flute, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. He plays … like a global music artiste would — merging swaras into breath, a full scream from the heart that sounds less like it comes from the West and more like any temperamental (Indian) vocalist …”
S. Mehrishi, Daily Pioneer, New Delhi, India
“When you play the flute, it’s like the universe is making love to me.”
Rinske Frederiks, NL
“I have no words to describe what you do. It is simply transcendental watching you drop into the space between the notes and download all of us with a powerfully transformative experience.”
Sean Gardner, USA (Raw Food Guru)

© prafulmusic.com