# Niraj Chag

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**Niraj Chag** is a London-based musical artist and composer. His musical style mixes Indian classical influences with contemporary stylings and layered, complex beats. Niraj's tracks were initially released on the [Outcaste](/source/Outcaste_Records) record label and later on his own Buzz-erk label. He has written and produced three albums released under his own name: *Along the Dusty Road* (2006), *The Lost Souls* (2009) and *Mud Doll* (2015).[1]

## Early life

Chag grew up in [Southampton](/source/Southampton), England.[2] His family is Gujarati, and his parents moved to the UK from East Africa in the 1970s.[2][3] His father worked on a bus and at a factory.[4] Chag started making music at age 11[3] and was involved in various musical projects including a hip-hop group and his brother's Bollywood cover band.[2] Rejected from multiple musical degree programs, Chag is a self-taught musician.[4]

## Career

### Composing for theatre, film, radio, and TV

Niraj has worked on the British Asian musical *Baiju Bawra*, which opened in London's Stratford East Theatre in 2002 and was adapted into a radio play by the BBC Asian Network in 2011[5] and numerous soundtracks, including, for television, the BAFTA- and Emmy-nominated *[Power of Art](/source/Simon_Schama's_Power_of_Art)* (2007), *The Age of Terror* (BBC, 2008), *Darwin's Dangerous Idea* (BBC 2008), City Beneath The Waves: Pavlopetri[6] (2011), *[Origins of Us](/source/Origins_of_Us)* (BBC, 2011), Jimmy and The Whale Whisperer[7] (Channel 4, 2012), *[Rise of the Continents](/source/Rise_of_the_Continents)* (2013),[8] [Our Girl](/source/Our_Girl) (2013), *[Sex and the City](/source/Sex_and_the_City)* (HBO, 2003), The Mystery of Romes X-Tomb (2013), Food Prices: The Shocking Truth (Channel 4, 2014), Worlds Busiest Railway (2015), Six Degrees Of Separation (2015), The Secrets Of Your Food (2017) and, for film, *[All in Good Time](/source/All_in_Good_Time_(film))* (2012).[9]

In 2007 he composed the music for the Olivier award-winning stage play *[Rafta Rafta](/source/Rafta_Rafta)* ([Royal National Theatre](/source/Royal_National_Theatre)).[10]

According to notes from his website Niraj has composed music for over 20 dance productions including [Shobana Jeyasinghs](/source/Shobana_Jeyasingh) Where Is Dev?/Classic Cuts[11]([Royal Opera House](/source/Royal_Opera_House), 2012).

In 2012, Niraj composed the music for the West End Musical *Wah! Wah! Girls*[12] and the [Royal Shakespeare Company](/source/Royal_Shakespeare_Company)'s production of *[Much Ado About Nothing](/source/Much_Ado_About_Nothing)*.[13] In 2014, Niraj composed the music for [The West Yorkshire Playhouse](/source/West_Yorkshire_Playhouse) production of *The Jungle Book*[14] and, in 2015, he composed the music for [The Royal National Theatre's](/source/Royal_National_Theatre) production of *Dara*.[15] In 2017, he created the sound design and score for the [RIFCO Arts](/source/RIFCO_Arts) production of *Miss Meena and The Masala Queens*.[16] In 2018, he composed the music for *The Captive Queen*[17] at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.[18] In 2024 he composed the music for the [Rifco Arts](https://www.rifcotheatre.com/) Musical production of [Frankie Goes To Bollywood](https://www.rifcotheatre.com/live-shows/frankie-goes-to-bollywood) and The [Royal Shakespeare Company's](https://www.rsc.org.uk/) Production of [The Buddha Of Suburbia](/source/The_Buddha_of_Suburbia_(novel)) for which he was nominated for a Whatsonstage award.[19]

Having worked on the [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4) adaptations of The Mahabharata[20] and The Ramayana[21] Niraj collaborated with radio production company Wise Buddah to create the new station sound[22] for the [BBC Asian Network](/source/BBC_Asian_Network) in 2015. In 2017 he created the music for one of [BBC 1's](/source/BBC_One) new '[Oneness](/source/BBC_One_'Oneness'_idents)' idents featuring a troop of Bhangra dancers.

In 2025 he received the ACTA Award[23] for Contemporary Music.

### Albums

Niraj's first professional experience in music was working on [Mark Hill](/source/Mark_Hill_(musician))'s label. At age 19, Chag moved to Outcaste Records, a label that focused on releasing Asian music.[2] Niraj released the single "Walk Alone" and contributed four tracks to the album *Outcaste New Breed*.[24]

Chag worked on his debut album, *Along the Dusty Road* (2007)*,* for 3 years as a side project to his score composition work.[25] The album includes songs in 6 different languages.[26] In May 2006 he released "Bangles", the first song from his album *Along the Dusty Road*, on the Buzz-erk label. According to notes from his website, "Bangles" was inspired by the journey his grandmother made in migrating to the UK from India via Africa.[27] "Bangles" and "Khwaab" attracted the attention of new fans less familiar with his earlier work,[28] both songs being playlisted on [BBC](/source/BBC) and local radio stations[29]

The success of the tracks led to Niraj recording a BBC session at their [Maida Vale Studios](/source/Maida_Vale_Studios), a live set at the inaugural [BBC Electric Proms](/source/BBC_Electric_Proms),[30] and the song "Nomad" was selected to be the [iTunes](/source/ITunes) free download of the week in June 2006.

In 2006, Niraj won "Best Asian Underground" at the [UK Asian Music Awards](/source/UK_Asian_Music_Awards).[31]

Chag's follow-up album *The Lost Souls* was released in early March 2009,[32] featuring the singles "Baavaria" and "Ur Jaa." On 24 October 2009 Chag performed in concert with a live band at [LSO St Luke's](/source/LSO_St_Luke's) in London,[33] followed by a concert at the [CBSO Centre](/source/CBSO_Centre) in Birmingham.[34]

Niraj's third album *Mud Doll* was released in June 2015 and featured the singles "Rang Diya" and "Sab Qurban".

In April 2010 Niraj launched a new online 'music and life' blog called EasternSoul.net with the intention of 'providing an alternative to the modern trend of throwaway "here today, gone tomorrow" music.' EasternSoul.net features a podcast, interviews and features on contemporary Asian musicians[35]

## Discography

- *Outcaste New Breed* (Outcaste Records, 1998) Chag contributed 4 tracks to this compilation
- *Along the Dusty Road* (Buzz-erk Group, 2006)
- *Rafta Rafta Soundtrack Album* (Buzz-erk Group, 2007)
- *The Lost Souls* (Buzz-erk Group, 2009)
- *Mud Doll* (Buzz-erk Group, 2015)

## References

1. ["Niraj Chag - Find out more"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080915181125/http://www.nirajchag.com/find_out_more.php). *www.nirajchag.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nirajchag.com/find_out_more.php) on 15 September 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. ["New battle of Bollywood"](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/new-battle-of-bollywood-7434335.html). *Evening Standard*. 2012-04-10. Retrieved 2024-09-05.

1. ["PODCAST: NIRAJ CHAG ON CREATING MUSIC & HIS NEW ALBUM MUD DOLL"](https://kamlashow.com/2015/06/23/podcast-niraj-chag-on-creating-music-his-new-album-mud-doll/). *The Kamla Show*. 2015-06-24. Retrieved 2024-09-05.

1. ["Making Soundwaves"](https://www.whatsonlive.co.uk/warwickshire/news/making-soundwaves/58735). *www.whatsonlive.co.uk*. Retrieved 2024-09-05.

1. ["Radio review: Baiju Bawra"](http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/apr/07/baiju-bawra-review). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["City Beneath the Waves: Pavlopetri (2011)"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2433086/). *IMDb.com*. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["Jimmy and the Whale Whisperer (2012)"](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2433110/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ql_1). *IMDb.com*. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["BBC Two - Rise of the Continents - Bringing continents alive with mus…"](https://archive.today/20140417192456/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01993gc/profiles/music). Archived from [the original](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01993gc/profiles/music) on 17 April 2014.

1. ["All in Good Time"](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1980911/). *IMDb.com*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["The Stage / Listings / Rafta, Rafta"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080704200023/http://www.thestage.co.uk/listings/production.php/23417/rafta-rafta). *www.thestage.co.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://www.thestage.co.uk/listings/production.php/23417/rafta-rafta) on 4 July 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2022.

1. ["Dev Kahan Hai? / Where is Dev?"](http://www.shobanajeyasingh.co.uk/works/dev-kahan-hai/). *Shobana Jeyasingh Dance*. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. Thompson, Laura (1 June 2012). ["Wah! Wah! Girls, Peacock Theatre, review"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/9306061/Wah-Wah-Girls-Peacock-Theatre-review.html). *Telegraph.co.uk*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. Spencer, Charles (1 October 2012). ["Much Ado About Nothing, Noël Coward Theatre, review"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/9579478/Much-Ado-About-Nothing-Noel-Coward-Theatre-review.html). *Telegraph.co.uk*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. Hickling, Alfred (5 January 2014). ["The Jungle Book – review"](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/jan/05/jungle-book-west-yorkshire-review). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [ISSN 0261-3077](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["Dara | Review | Theatre | The Stage"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170805060246/https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/dara-7/). *The Stage*. Archived from [the original](https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/dara-7/) on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["Miss Meena and the Masala Queens"](https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/theatre/miss-meena-and-the-masala-queens/). Watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["The Captive Queen / Shakespeare's Globe"](http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on-2018/the-captive-queen). *Shakespearesglobe.com*. Retrieved 2018-03-18.

1. ["What's on"](https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/). *Shakespeare's Globe*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["25th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards winners in full – updating live"](https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/25th-annual-whatsonstage-awards-winners-in-full-updating-live_1664088/). 2025-02-09. Retrieved 2025-02-25.

1. ["Exile, Mahabharata, Classic Serial – BBC Radio 4"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007742k). BBC. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["Return, Amber Lone – The Ramayana, Classic Serial – BBC Radio 4"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vrbq7). BBC. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["Wise Buddah rebrands the BBC Asian Network"](https://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/09/wise-buddah-rebrands-the-bbc-asian-network/). *Radiotoday.co.uk*. 2 September 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2017.

1. ["2025 Winners - ACTAs 2025"](https://actas.co.uk/winners/2025-winners/,%20https://actas.co.uk/winners/2025-winners/). 2025-05-26. Retrieved 2025-06-06.

1. ["Various - Outcaste New Breed UK"](https://www.discogs.com/Various-Outcaste-New-Breed-UK/release/28744). *Discogs.com*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. Verma, Rahul. ["BBC - Music - Review of Niraj Chag - Along The Dusty Road"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/6g25/). *BBC*. Retrieved 2024-09-05.

1. Mason, Allie & Mackay, Elizabeth (2012-04-03). ["World music review: Asia – The Concordian"](https://theconcordian.com/2012/04/world-music-review-asia/). Retrieved 2024-09-05.

1. ["Along The Dusty Road"](http://nirajchag.com/along-the-dusty-road/). *Nirajchag.com*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["Niraj Chag :: Along the Dusty Road"](http://ethnotechno.com/niraj_dustyroad.php). *Ethnotechno.com*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["BBC - Asian Network - Friction"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork/friction/playlist_archive_06_07_17.shtml). *Bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["BBC - Electric Proms - Asian Network night"](http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2006/asiannetwork/). *Bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["Desi hits the UK AMA's - London 2006"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110311094336/http://www.desihits.com/news/view/desi-hits-the-uk-amas-london-2006). *Desihits.com*. 1 January 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.desihits.com/news/view/desi-hits-the-uk-amas-london-2006) on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2010.

1. Blakeney, Jerome. ["BBC - Music - Review of Niraj Chag - The Lost Souls"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/c2xm/). *Bbc.co.uk*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["What's on – Cinema | Barbican"](https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/cinema). *Barbican.org.uk*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["Latest News"](https://cbso.co.uk/). *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra*. Retrieved 26 July 2020.

1. ["About"](http://www.easternsoul.net/about-eastern-soul/). Eastern Soul. Retrieved 4 July 2010.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.nirajchag.com/)
- [Eastern Soul](http://www.easternsoul.net/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Niraj Chag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niraj_Chag) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niraj_Chag?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.