Neel Murgai is a multi-instrumental performer, composer and teacher, and Co-Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Raga Massive, a raga inspired musician's collective and 501c3 non profit. He is a graduate of Goddard College's MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts program. His journey into sitar and Indian classical music began with Pundit Ravindra Goswami in Banaras, in 1994. In addition to sitar, Neel has learned daf (Persian frame drum) with Soheil Zolfonun. He has studied overtone singing with the Buriyat performance group Uragsha and Harmonic Choir member, Timothy Hill. Western composition, Neel studied with Edgar Grana. 

While dedicated to Indian classical music, Neel is also interested in creating original music and contemporary cross-cultural collaborations that are rooted in his many influences and studies. Neel’s latest band Quadrature is a psychedelic raga rock outfit featuring Neel’s work with sitar and effects. They will be releasing their debut album in 2024. Neel composed and conducted for a global orchestra of 25 musicians in Brooklyn Raga Massive’s 2021 release, “In D”, an homage to minimalist maestro Terry Riley. His 2020 release “Reorientation” features his compositions in a chamber setting with Neel Murgai Ensemble as well as experiments in overtone singing and looping. Neel also directed BRM’s tribute to Pundit Ravi Shankar and live score for the film Fantastic Planet.

Neel performed in the orchestra of Disney’s musical theater production of the Jungle Book, starring Andre DeSheilds. He has toured around the world with the Bill T. Jones Dance Company, performing in their multi-media show, “Blind Date". Neel has performed on Late Night with David Letterman with Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper and DJ Rekha. Neel was in Will Smith’s 2022 Super Bowl commercial. He also appeared in Morgan Spurlock’s documentary of the Simpsons, performing the iconic theme song. Other artists Neel has worked with include Taylor Swift, Adam Rudolph, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Karsh Kale, Samir Chatterjee, Daniel Bernard Romain, Ellen Stewart, Sameer Gupta, Marc Cary, Jay Gandhi, Arun Ramamurthy, Laraaji, Yuerba Buena, Baba Israel, Raz Mesinai, Mission on Mars, Akim Funk Buddha, Loren Conners, Louis Bellogenis and Cosmo Vinyl. He has performed at venues ranging from the Lincoln Center and Kennedy Center to jazz clubs such as the Blue Note and at festivals around the U.S including Globalfest, Ragaslive, Art Wallah, Arts Plosure, Masala! Mehndi! Masti! and many others. 

Neel has composed music for numerous film, TV, video, theater and dance projects including the features, “The Yes Men Fix the World", which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and "A Decent Arrangement". His music has been featured in the BBC series, “Holiday’s in the Danger Zone", and TBS programs, “Women of the Ink", and “Spotlights". 

As a teacher, Neel offers private lessons in sitar, overtone singing and percussion. He leads workshops and lecture/demonstrations combining all his skills in colleges and schools around the NYC area. Neel's group Raga Kids teaches about Indian music to toddlers offering sing-alongs of original music and kids classics.