From the Hooghly to the Hudson brings the soulful tradition of Bhatiyali Dhun—Bengal’s “Boatman’s Song”—to the banks of the Hudson River. Composed and led by bansuri flute virtuoso Eric Fraser, the performance draws connections between the ancient Bengali folk music of the Hooghly River and the river that flows through our own community. Through a fusion of new compositions, Indian classical ragas, and folk traditions, Fraser and an ensemble of musicians celebrate the timeless bond between people and their rivers.

Eric Fraser is a bansuri flute virtuoso with over 20 years of training in Indian classical music under Pandit Gopal Roy in the traditional Guru/Shishya Parampara. Specializing in the Gayaki-Ang or “Singing Style,” Eric’s playing emulates the vocal phrasing and tone of classical music, rooted in the pre-modern traditions of Kolkata. Drawing from the rich cultural fusion of Bengali folk and classical music, his work bridges centuries-old techniques with contemporary creative expression. Eric’s artistry honors the legacy of Pannalal Ghosh, who introduced the bansuri into Indian classical music, and he continues to share his deep connection to these traditions with diverse audiences.

Composed by Eric Fraser

Performed by:
Eric Fraser, bansuri flute
Abhik Mukherjee, sitar
Mir Naqibul Islam, tabla
Vinay Desai, santoor
Jeremy Smith, percussion
Jason Hosier, acoustic guitar & electric guitar
Aaron Shragge, trumpet
Jessica Caplan, voice and drone instruments
Katie Down, drone instruments
Peter Blum, tanpura

Tickets: 
Section 1: $40 (plus $5 fee) Reserved Seating
Section 2: $25 (plus $5 fee) General Admission
Section 3: $15 (plus $3 fee) General Admission

Hudson Hall’s programs are made possible with support from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.