Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Turns 85: The Flute Maestro Par Excellence

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PANDIT HARIPRASAD CHAURASIA: Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is a renowned Indian classical flutist and composer. He was born on July 1, 1938, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Chaurasia is one of the leading exponents of the North Indian bamboo flute, also known as the bansuri.

He blessed the Indian music industry with close to 500 tracks. He is a music director and a flautist who produced some of the most alluring tunes. Joining hands with Shivkumar Sharma, he directed some evergreen Bollywood songs including Mere Haathon Mein which featured the late actress Sridevi and Dekha Ek Khwab starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. As the flautist turns 85, let us take a look at some interesting facts about him.

1. No Background In MusicHariprasad Chaurasia lost his mother at a very early age and was raised by his father who was a wrestler. Gradually, he developed a liking for music and attended early lessons in music at a friend’s place.
2. His Father Wanted Him To Become A WrestlerWith no background in music, his father trained him in wrestling. His father personally coached him and taught him all the skills and techniques. He also tried his hands at stenography. He gives credit to his training in wrestling that he was able to play the flute even after getting old.
3. All India RadioHis career began in 1957 when he started working as a composer and performer at the All India Radio in Cuttack, Odisha. There he met his guru, Annapurna Devi, who opened the horizons of his understanding of the flute.
4. International ExposureTen years after starting his career at All India Radio, he went on to collaborate with the legendary rock and roll band, the Beatles. He released a single called The Inner Light in the Beatles album. He also worked with John McLaughlin, Ken Lauber, and Jan Garbarek.
5. Honoured with Prestigious AwardsPandit Hariprasad Chaurasia has received numerous awards including the Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000) among others.
6. GurukulsHe has established two gurukuls, one in Odisha and one in Mumbai, to teach the knowledge he has honed during his lifetime to budding musicians.