Stories you may like

• The growing trend of Abacus education in this era,gives an opportunity to train children abacus based mental arithmetic as well as grows their cognitive skills,

• Inviting SkillTraining centres all over India to affiliate with BSS and Become B'Voc centres of Singhania University

• Inviting Panchayat Wise Skill Gap Testing and Training Centres all over India for Nsim's Life Long Learning Program

• Be a seller in E-commerce Platforms...

• How to do online marketing through e-commerce websites?

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – A Legendary Flautist

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is one of India’s greatest classical flautists, renowned for his mastery of the bansuri (bamboo flute) in the Hindustani classical music tradition. His musical journey has inspired generations and popularized the bansuri worldwide.

Early Life & Background

• Born: July 1, 1938, in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh, India.
• Family Background: His father was a wrestler, and young Hariprasad was initially encouraged to take up wrestling.
• Musical Training: Despite family opposition, he pursued music and trained under Pandit Bholanath Prasanna in classical flute playing.
• Later, he refined his skills under Annapurna Devi, daughter of Ustad Allauddin Khan, in the Senia-Maihar gharana.

Musical Career & Achievements

Classical Music Contribution:

• Pandit Chaurasia revolutionized bansuri playing by bringing it to the forefront of Indian classical music.
• His style blends the delicate nuances of dhrupad, khayal, and thumri, making it rich in both melody and rhythm.
• He introduced longer bansuris with deeper tones, expanding the instrument’s range.

Collaborations & Fusion Music:

• He collaborated with international artists like John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, George Harrison, and Paul Horn.
• Worked extensively with Shivkumar Sharma (santoor maestro) as part of the legendary duo Shiv-Hari, composing for Bollywood films like Silsila, Chandni, Lamhe, and Darr.
• Explored fusion music with Western artists while maintaining his classical roots.

Awards & Honors:

• Padma Vibhushan (2000) – India’s second-highest civilian award.
• Padma Bhushan (1992).
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984).
• Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by France.
• Honored by Rotterdam Conservatory, Netherlands, where he taught Indian classical music.

Teaching & Legacy

• Founded the Vrindaban Gurukul in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar to train young flautists.
• His students include notable musicians like Rakesh Chaurasia (his nephew), Rupak Kulkarni, and Nityanand Haldipur.
• His teachings emphasize breath control, tone modulation, and intricate raga development.

Famous Compositions & Albums

• Call of the Valley (with Shivkumar Sharma and Brij Bhushan Kabra).
• Krishna – The Flute Player.
• In Search of Peace.
• Morning to Midnight Ragas.
• Flute & Harp (collaboration with Harpist Deborah Henson-Conant).

Conclusion

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is a living legend whose contribution to Indian classical music and the bansuri is unparalleled. His ability to blend tradition with innovation has made him one of the most respected musicians globally.