Hariprasad Chaurasia (born 1 July 1938) is an Indian

music director A music(al) director or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, production, or organization. This would include the artistic director and usually chief conductor of an orchestra or concert band, the di ...

and classical flautist, who plays the

bansuri A bansuri is an ancient side blown flute originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is an aerophone produced from bamboo and metal like material used in Hindustani classical music. It is referred to as ''nadi'' and ''tunava'' in the ''Ri ...

, in the Hindustani classical tradition.

Early life

Chaurasia was born in

Allahabad Allahabad (), officially known as Prayagraj, also known as Ilahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi (Benares). It is the administra ...

(1938) (officially called

Prayagraj Allahabad (), officially known as Prayagraj, also known as Ilahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi (Benares). It is the admini ...

) in the Indian state of

Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh (; , 'Northern Province') is a state in northern India. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 195 ...

. His mother died when he was six years old. He had to learn music without his father's knowledge, as his father wanted him to become a wrestler. Chaurasia did go to the Akhada and trained with his father for some time, although he also started learning music and practising at his friend's house. He has stated,

Career

Chaurasia started learning vocal music from his neighbour, Rajaram, at the age of 15. Later, he switched to playing the flute under the tutelage of Bholanath Prasanna of

Varanasi Varanasi (; ; also Banaras or Benares (; ), and Kashi.) is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. * * * * The city has a syncretic t ...

for eight years. He joined the

All India Radio All or ALL may refer to: Language * All, an indefinite pronoun in English * All, one of the English determiners * Allar language (ISO 639-3 code) * Allative case (abbreviated ALL) Music * All (band), an American punk rock band * ''All'' (All ...

Cuttack Cuttack (, or officially Kataka ) in Odia is the former capital and the second largest city in the Indian state of Odisha. It is the headquarters of the Cuttack district. The name of the city is an anglicised form of ''Kataka'' which literally ...

Odisha Odisha (English: , ), formerly Orissa ( the official name until 2011), is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It is the 8th largest state by area, and the 11th largest by population. The state has the third largest population of ...

in 1957 and worked as a composer and performer. Much later, while working for All India Radio, he received guidance from the reclusive

Annapurna Devi (1927 – 13 October 2018) was an Indian surbahar (bass sitar) player of Hindustani classical music. She was given the name 'Annapurna' by former Maharaja Brijnath Singh of the former Maihar Estate (M.P.), and it was by this name that she was p ...

, daughter of Baba Allaudin Khan. She only agreed to teach him if he was willing to unlearn all that he had learnt until then. Another version is that she only agreed to teach him after he took the decision to switch from right-handed to left-handed playing to show her his commitment. In any case Chaurasia plays left-handed to this day. Apart from classical music, Hariprasad has collaborated with

Shivkumar Sharma Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (13 January 1938 – 10 May 2022) was an Indian classical musician and santoor player who is credited with adapting the santoor for Indian classical music. As a music composer, he collaborated with Indian flautist Ha ...

, forming a group called Shiv-Hari. The pair composed music for many popular movies, including Silsila and Chandni, and created some highly popular songs. Chaurasia also collaborated with

Bhubaneswar Mishra Bhubaneswar Mishra (born 9 November 1961) is an Indian American computer scientist and professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences of New York University. He is known for his applied contributions to bioinformatics, cybersecu ...

, forming the pair "Bhuban-Hari" (in line with Shiv-Hari), and the pair composed music for many Odia movies, creating numerous songs that were hugely popular in the state. These include Muje janena kaha baata (sung by

Suman Kalyanpur Suman Kalyanpur (born as Suman Hemmadi;January 28th 1937) is an Indian playback singer, one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Her voice was often mistaken to be that of Lata Mangeshkar. Suman Kalyanpur's career st ...

; movie: Gapa helebi Sata); and all songs from Maa o Mamata, and many more. Chaurasia's nephew and pupil Rakesh Chaurasia is a highly accomplished flautist now, and has been performing globally with such eminent maestros as Ustad Zakir Hussain. He serves as the artistic director of the World Music Department at the Rotterdam Music Conservatory in the Netherlands. He was also the founder of the Vrindavan Gurukul in Mumbai (opened 2006) and Vrindavan Gurukul in Bhubaneshwar (opened 2010). Both of these institutes are schools dedicated to training students in

in the Guru-shishya tradition. He has collaborated with several western musicians, including John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, and Ken Lauber, and has composed music for Indian films. Chaurasia also played on

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...

' 1968 B-side "

The Inner Light ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

", which was written by

George Harrison George Harrison (25 February 1943 – 29 November 2001) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Sometimes called "the quiet Beatle", Harrison embraced Indian c ...

. He also played with George Harrison on his first solo release, '' Wonderwall Music'', and with Harrison, Ravi Shankar and others on the Dark Horse Records release Shankar Family & Friends.

Personal life

Chaurasia has married twice, first to Kamala Devi and then Anuradha Roy. He has three sons. With first wife Kamala Devi he has two sons, Vinay and Ajay. With Anuradha, Chaurasia has a son named Rajeev. Chaurasia has five granddaughters and a grandson. His nephew Rakesh Chaurasia is also a flautist and carrying forward the family legacy.

In popular culture

The 2013

documentary film A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in te ...

'' Bansuri Guru'' features the life and legacy of Chaurasia and was directed by the musician's son Rajeev Chaurasia and produced by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Awards

Sangeet Natak Academy Sangeet Natak Akademi (The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama in English) is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India. History It was set up by the Indian education ministry on 31 May 1952 and be ...

- 1984 * Konark Samman - 1992 *

Padma Bhushan The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service ...

- 1992 * Yash Bharati Samman - 1994 *

Padma Vibhushan The Padma Vibhushan ("Lotus Decoration") is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service". All persons without ...

- 2000 * Pandit Chatur Lal Excellence Award - 2015 * Hafiz Ali Khan Award - 2000 * Dinanath Mangeshkar Award - 2000 * Pune Pandit Award - 2008, by The Art & Music Foundation, Pune, India * Akshaya Samman - 2009 * Honorary Doctorate,

North Orissa University Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University (MSCB University), formerly North Orissa University (NOU), is a public university in the regional city of Baripada in the state of Odisha, India. This university mainly provides higher education ...

- 2008 * Honorary Doctorate,

Utkal University Utkal University (UU) is a Public university in Bhubaneswar, Khordha district, Khordha, Odisha, and is the oldest university in Odisha, the state, and the 17th-oldest university in India. It is a teaching-cum-affiliating university. The pre ...

- 2011 * National Eminence award, NADA VIDYA BHARTI by Visakha Music and Dance Academy, Vizag - 2009 * The 25 Greatest Global Living Legends In India by NDTV - 2013 * Gansamradni Lata Mangeshkar Award - 2021-22

Books

* Official Biography 'Breath of Gold' by Sathya Saran- 2019 *'Hariprasad Chaurasia: Romance of the Bamboo Reed', by Uma Vasudev - 2005 * Official biography "Woodwinds of Change" by Surjit Singh - 2008 * 'Hariprasad Chaurasia and the Art of Improvisation', by Henri Tournier * 'Bansuri Samrat : Hariprasad Chaurasia', by Surjit Singh

Discography

These are major albums released by Hariprasad Chaurasia Hariprasad Chaurasia 04

Ustad Zakir Hussain & Hariprasad Chaurasia

;1967 * '' Call of the Valley'' with

and Brij Bhushan Kabra ;1978 * Krishnadhwani 60 ;1981 * Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia - Flute ;1984 * Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia - Flute (different set of ragas, same album name) ;1987 * Morning to Midnight Ragas - Morning Ragas ;1988 * Nothing But Wind - Composed by the renowned musician "Isaignani" Ilaiyaraaja * Call of the Valley ;1989 * Venu * Live in Ahmedabad '89 ;1990 * Immortal Series ;1991 * Megh Malhar ;1992 * Night Ragas * Live in Amsterdam '92 * Morning to Midnight Ragas - Afternoon Ragas * All time Favourites * Live from Sawai Gandharva Music Festival - Video (VHS) * Raga-s DU Nord Et Du Sud * Immortal Series - Flute Fantasia ;1993 * Indian Classical Masters * Daylight Ragas * Flute - Hariprasad Chaurasia * Soundscapes - Music of the Rivers - Hari Prasad Chaurasia ;1994 * Thumri - The Music of Love * In A Mellow Mood * Possession * Immortal Series - Devine Drupad * Classic Greats1 - Ideas on Flute ;1995 * In Live Concert * Cascades of Hindustani Music * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 4am to 7am Raga Bhairava: Integration * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 7am to 10am Raga Gurjari Todi: Compassion * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 10am to 1pm Raga Vrindavani Saranga: Greater Energy * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 1pm to 4pm Raga Multani: Affuence * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 4pm to 7pm Raga Marwa: Coherence * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 7pm to 10pm Raga Desh: Joy * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 10pm to 1am Raga Abhogi: Peaceful Slumber * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 1am to 4am Raga Sindhu Bhairavi: Gentleness * Hariprasad Chaurasia - Flute * Malhar-Chandrika * Music 157 - Live in London * Music - Flute * Great Jugalbandis * Music from the world of OSHO - Above & Beyond * Prem Yog * Written on the Wind * Romantic Themes * Saptarishi - Live at Siri Fort * The Mystical Flute of Hari Prasad Chaurasia * Maestro's Choice * Basant Bahar * Chaurasia's Choice ;1996 * Hari Prasad Chaurasia & his Divine Flute * Flute Recital * Valley Recalls - In search of Peace, Love and Harmony * Krishna's Flute - Master of the Bansuri * Classical Encounters - A live Experience with Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia * Fabulous Flute * Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia * In Concert - Vancouver, B.C * Hariprasad Chaurasia - Flute * The Bamboo Flautist of His Generation * Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia - Nada in Jerusalem ;1997 * Classical Encounters - A Live Experience with Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia * Great Jugalbandis * The Golden Collection (Classical) * Immortal Essence * Golden Raga Collection * Bustan Abraham - Fanar (Guest appearance alongside

Zakir Hussain Zakir Hussain ( ur, , link=no) is the name of: * Zakir Husain (politician), an Indian politician and former president of India * Zakir Hussain (actor), Bollywood actor * Zakir Hussain (field hockey) (1934–2019), Pakistani field hockey player * ...

) ;1998 * Samarpan-VCD Special 60th Birthday Edition * The Charms Companion * Morning to Midnight - Morning to Dusk * Music for Reiki ;1999 * Jugalbandi * Rasdhaara * Live Inside Khajuraho * Live in New Delhi - '89 * Golden Raga Collection * Musical Titans of India - Jugalbandhi Video (VHS) * Pure Joy - Positive Energy Music ;2000 * Music without Boundaries * Maaya - Far East * Hriday - Cuba * Caravan Spain * Live Concert at Savai Gandharva Music Festival * Gurukul - The Guru shishya Parampara ;2001 * Adi-Ananth * Love Divine - Parables of Passion * Power & Grace - Live at the Saptak Festival 2001 * Discovery of Indian Classical Music * Flute Duet ;2003 * Flute Deity Hariprasad Chaurasia * The Greatest Hits of Hariprasad Chaurasia * Salvation - Instrumental Bhajans * Sounds of Silence ;2015 Ajanma - Hariprasad Chaurasia (Solo album) ;Year unknown * La Flute De Pundit Hariprasad Chaurasia * Hariprasad Chaurasia - The Most Celebrated Flautist of India * Charm of the Bamboo flute * Kalpana - Imagination * A Kaleidoscope of various ragas * Krishna Utsav * Kali - Classical Instrumental * Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia - the Living Legend of Flute * Moon Light Moods - Flute Recital * Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia - The Living Legend of Flute * Indian Music * HariDhwani * Dancing Water * Fusion India - Passage of India Series * Being Still * Dhammapada - Sacred teaching of Buddha * The Charms Companion * Eternity * Nothing but wind (1988) - Composed by

Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesikan, 3 June 1943) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, instrumentalist, lyricist and singer, popular for his works in Indian Cinema, prominently in Tamil films. Reputed to be one o ...

;With

* '' Making Music'' (ECM, 1986) * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 4am to 7am Raga Bhairava * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 7am to 10am Raga Jaita * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 10am to 1pm Raga Ahir Lalita * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 1pm to 4pm Raga Samanta Saranga * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 4pm to 7pm Raga Puriya Dhanashri * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 7pm to 10pm Raga Maru Bihaga * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 10pm to 1am Raga Gunji Kanada * Maharishi Gandharva Veda - Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia - 1am to 4am Raga Shuddha Vasanta ;Contributing artist * ''

The Rough Guide to the Music of India and Pakistan ''The Rough Guide to the Music of India and Pakistan'' is a world music compilation album originally released in 1996. Part of the World Music Network Rough Guides series, it focuses on the music of India and Pakistan, ranging from Hindi film so ...

'' (

World Music Network World Music Network is a UK-based record label specializing in world music. The World Music Network website features news, reviews, live music listings, and guide sections on world music. It also features an online "Battle of the Bands" competit ...

, 1996)

Music for Bollywood films

Along with

he composed music for * '' Chandni'' * ''

Darr ''Darr: A Violent Love Story'' ( ''Fear'') is a 1993 Indian romantic psychological thriller film directed and produced by Yash Chopra under his banner Yash Raj Films. The film stars Juhi Chawla, Sunny Deol and Shah Rukh Khan with Anupam ...

'' * ''

Lamhe ''Lamhe'' (lit. ''Moments'') is a 1991 Indian musical romantic drama film directed by Yash Chopra and written by Honey Irani and Rahi Masoom Raza. The film stars Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in lead roles, along with Waheeda Rehman and Anupam Kher ...

'' * ''

Silsila Silsila ( ar, سِلْسِلَة) is an Arabic word meaning ''chain'', ''link'', ''connection'' often used in various senses of lineage. In particular, it may be translated as "spiritual genealogy" where one Sufi Master transfers his ''khil ...

'' * ''

Faasle ''Faasle'' is a 1985 Bollywood film produced and directed by Yash Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Rekha, Farooq Shaikh, Deepti Naval, Rohan Kapoor, Farah, Raj Kiran, Sushma Seth and Aloknath. The film is the debut film for Rohan Kapoor, s ...

'' * '' Vijay'' * '' Parampara'' * '' Sahibaan''

Music for Telugu films

The music for the film ''

Sirivennela ''Sirivennela'' () is a 1986 Indian Telugu-language romance film written and directed by K. Viswanath. The film stars Suhasini, Sarvadaman Banerjee and Moon Moon Sen. The film has music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film won five Nandi A ...

'' was composed by

K. V. Mahadevan Krishnankoil Venkadachalam Mahadevan (14 March 1918 – 21 June 2001) was an Indian composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician known for his works in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films. He is best known for his contributi ...

which revolves around the role of Hari Prasad, a blind flautist played by Sarvadaman Banerjee and flute renditions by Chaurasia.

Music for English films

Some of his music is used in Mithaq Kazimi's ''

16 Days in Afghanistan ''16 Days in Afghanistan'' is a 2007 documentary film about the journey of Afghan-American Anwar Hajher, also the director, traveling to his homeland Afghanistan after 25 years to rediscover his country. The film is produced by Mithaq Kazimi and ...

''.

References

External links

HariJi.org

Official website

Interview with Choodie Shivaram

by Mohan Nadkarni {{DEFAULTSORT:Chaurasia, Hariprasad 1938 births Living people Musicians from Allahabad Hindustani instrumentalists Indian flautists Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in arts Recipients of the Padma Vibhushan in arts Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award Officers of the Order of Orange-Nassau Officiers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Bansuri players Hindustani composers Indian film score composers Indian male film score composers 20th-century Indian male musicians Remember Shakti members 20th-century flautists Recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship