As it listens to the sounds you create
The entire world stands in awe
Forgetting themselves each one asks
Is this the scent of flowers, or a flute that plays?
In the age of record stores, it was rare to go into a record shop and not see a recording of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the master of the bansuri or bamboo flute. One of India’s most popular artistes, he is in Mumbai today, Paris tomorrow and San Francisco the day after.His mesmerizing flute can be heard in many of Hindi cinema’s most popular songs, in a composition by the former Beatle George Harrison, as well as in recordings with renowned musicians from across the world. Sathya Saran’s Breath of Gold will inspire and introduce everyone to the story of this amazing artist.
Not convinced? Read on to know more about Hariprasad Chaurasia:
By combining tradition with innovation, Pandit Chaurasia expanded the scope of expressiveness of the bansuri and was, thus, awarded a plethora of awards, including the Padma Vibhushan. (Source: India Today)
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If it were up to his father, he would have been a wrestler.Yet, he broke away from the life that was chosen for him and wrote his own destiny.
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In his early teens, Pandit Chaurasia took lessons in Hindustani classical music from noted Benares vocalist Raja Ram. After hearing one of his performances, Bholanath, a well-known flutist, made Chaurasia his disciple and made him go through eight years of rigorous training. (Source: Britannica)
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Pandit Chaurasia also studied with Shrimati Annapurna Devi, daughter of Ustaad Allauddin Khan. In Bombay, he also got the additional exposure of performing in one of India’s cultural centers. Through years of experimentation and dedicated practice, Pandit Chaurasia brought global recognition to the bansuri. (Source: IAAC)
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Hariprasad Chaurasia has also been a guru to innumerable students in his Mumbai and Bhubaneswar gurukuls, and at the World Music Department, Rotterdam Music Conservatory, the Netherlands, where he is artistic director.
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Hari- ji, as he is fondly called, never gives up, and nothing can keep him from his music. Not the trembling of his hand, not a sudden shortness of breath. He overcomes it all with the strength of his will and his ability to laugh off every hurdle age places in his path.
If you want to know more about this musical genius check out Breath of Gold.
