Adrian McNeil

The artist is a Hindustani classical musician whose training is rooted in the sarod tradition, developed through long-term discipleship under Pt. Ashok Roy, a distinguished disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Beginning in 1980, their musical journey has been shaped through immersive study in both Australia and India, following the guru-shishya parampara. Extended periods of training in Dehradun and later in Melbourne under Ashok Roy established a strong foundation in traditional repertoire and performance practice.

Further advanced training was undertaken in Kolkata between 1996 and 2001, where the artist received guidance from prominent musicians, including Pt. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, Pt. Parthosarathi Choudhury, and Pt. Kalyan Mukherjee. This period also involved engagement with a wider musical network, contributing to both performance development and academic research. A subsequent study in Mumbai with Prof. Sachindra Nath Roy, along with intensive vocal training under Dr. Ashok D. Ranade, expanded their understanding of both instrumental and vocal traditions within Hindustani music.

In recent years, the artist has continued to refine their practice under Ustad Irfan Khan since 2023, focusing on compositions from the Lucknow Shahjahanpur Sarod gharana. Additional guidance from Pt. Sanjoy Bandopadhyay has contributed to performance strategy and presentation. Their musical approach reflects a combination of traditional training, cross-regional influences, and sustained engagement with leading exponents of Hindustani classical music.