Yuji Nakagawa

About me

Kyoto, Japan

Yuji Nakagawa is a Japanese-born sarangi player who has learnt the instrument maestros across India for over 16 years. 
As one of the senior most disciples of the late Pt. Dhruba Ghosh, with whom he honed his skills for 12 years.Yuji learnt from Dhrubaji in the rigorous guru-shishya parampara, supported in part by an ICCR scholarship from 2009-2015. His initial training in the sarangi was in Varanasi, from senior sarangi master Ustad Faiyaz Ali Khan. He also received some technical guidance from Shri Sangeet Mishra. Yuji has performed extensively as a soloist, and has also accompanied many eminent Hindustani classical musicians. He has performed solo sarangi recitals across India, and has given solo and ensemble performances in countries including Thailand, Singapore, the Netherlands,Canada and his home country Japan. Yuji’s performances have been received with critical acclaim, and he has also received awards and scholarships for his music.

Cultural background

  • Japan
  • India

Project Music

Bombs Cannot Blow Up Our Dreams

In this song we want to take away the distance between ‘them’ and ‘us’. Take away the distance created by borders, color and privilege. The ocean is but a mere puddle, the border is nothing more than a line. We believe that bombs can never blow up our dreams. Hate cannot keep us from loving. Forever we will love!

  • Alternative
  • Background vocals
  • Rapping
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Adufe
  • Percussion
  • Sampler
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • India
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
Friend Not Foe

"Friend Not Foe" is a song that talks about accepting people we do not understand despite the fact that we can have contrary views about life. Knowing that it's very okay to agree to disagree. We must not all be on the same page, thus accepting our various differences will help us live a less confrontational lifestyle. Should we agree to open our minds to accept those who have different points of views from us, we will learn to be more tolerant and understanding. We will not only grow our sense of empathy but also grow emotionally.

  • Jazz-Pop
  • Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Piano
  • Sarangi
  • Conga
  • Cameroon
  • Israel
  • Japan
Survive

Survive is about hope for the world, and for our future. To remind the world to show love, be united in love, and in strength, only then can we do the impossible and most importantly, carry on during difficult moments.

  • Pop
  • World
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Piano
  • Bass guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Violin
  • Drum set
  • Cameroon
  • Denmark
  • Ghana
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Mongolia
  • United States of America
Vergel (Orchard)

Inspired by an environmentalist and humanist perspective, “Vergel” expresses the desire to find a place to make a base; a place to find peace in these crazy times, and put down roots. It also seeks to generate awareness about the need to harvest our own food and through this act reconnect with Mother Earth. Curiously, all three performers (none of whom are Indian) are playing Indian instruments in this song. Although the style of music is not primarily Indian, the music is grounded by the warmth and timelessness of these ancient sounds.

  • Fusion
  • Indian
  • Latino
  • Pop
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Singer
  • Harmonium
  • Bass guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Dholak
  • Finger cymbals
  • Bansuri
  • Argentina
  • Canada
  • India
  • Japan
Rise Again

Very often, the human race marveled by its own intellect and strength tends to forget that we are one with the planet; and that we need diversity even for our own survival. Rise Again is a song of hope. it doesn't condemn but acknowledges that mankind has been wrong a lot of times in the past and that there is the opportunity to rise again as one with the planet.

  • Indie Pop
  • Pop
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Drum set
  • Argentina
  • Cameroon
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • United States of America
Hymn

This song is written and produced by Mauro Lazzaretto. It is a contribution of the singer Sharon Ben-Zadok, who interpreted the lyrics with immense care and added a Mantra in Sanskrit, the flautist Sandro Friedrich and the traditional secrets and knowledges of the sarangi-player Yuji Nakagawa. It allowed to create a new blend of many identities. The song is about endless ways our planet is speaking to us and our impossibility to hear that voice, unless we open our mind and not just our ears. A warning, but also a hymn of hope.

  • Electronic
  • Indian
  • Pop
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Classical guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Berimbao
  • Drum machine
  • Udu
  • Occorso flute
  • Traverse flute
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Switzerland
Alfa

Alpha, the mature son of his Mother Nature who was not Her first manifestation of Life, but the first to understand some of Mothers deepest mysteries. Universal Mother of all Life, who forgives everything to Her son, giving him everything he will need to live. Even a virus if so. Until the day when She herself needs Healing, for so many pains that She receives from this rational and intelligent son. Ours is the power to crystallize all Her beauty and health.

  • Ambient
  • Fusion
  • Oriental
  • Ritual
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Chanting
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Piano
  • Bass guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Drum set
  • Sampler
  • Cameroon
  • India
  • Mexico
  • Portugal
  • United States of America
Put your thinking caps on

If we do what we've always done, we'll get what we've always gotten. It is time to put our thinking caps on to think again. It is time to make new choices encompassing every aspect of the planet and beyond.

  • Indie Pop
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Adufe
  • Trumpet
  • Drum set
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Syrian Arab Republic
Si Ghan
Play
  • Award Winner

All children simply want to live, grow up and be smart. They want to live in harmony with the animals and the planet. Our children will breathe the air we leave behind. Now it is time to think ahead and make sure the air is clean for every living being on earth. With special contribution of Roos Marijn van Voorden, 6 years old (The Netherlands).

  • African
  • Reggae / Carribean
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Child’s voice
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Drum machine
  • Trumpet
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • Syrian Arab Republic

No submissions for Beyond Music Project Volume 1.