Hariprasad Chaurasia
Master Hariprasad Chaurasia was born on 1 July 1938 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), a city sacred to Hinduism at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and Sarasvati rivers, and is considered a living legend of the bansuri, the reed flute of classical Indian music of Hindustani tradition, of which Chaurasia is one of the oldest and most respected exponents, in India and in the World.
With over sixty years of intense musical career as an international concert performer, composer of film soundtracks and protagonist of illustrious collaborations with artists such as George Harrison, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussein and many others, Master Chaurasia is internationally recognized as an ambassador of classical Indian culture and tradition in the world.
Despite the venerable age of 86 years, Maestro Chaurasia continues to spread this musical art, making concerts and masterclasses in different countries of the world. He was director of the Indian music department at the Rotterdham Conservatory and currently directs the Indian music school “Vrindaban Gurukul” in Mumbai, India.
Scheduled at MWF 2024:
9-13 July – Femminamorta – Residential Masterclass
10 July h.16:00 – Conservatory Vincenzo Bellini of Catania – Conference and Masterclass
July 14 h. 05:00 – Femminamorta – Final concert at dawn, with Debopriya Chatterjee, Nicolò Melocchi, Sanjay Kansa Banik.
Coming from a family of modest means, the young Chaurasia was initially destined for a wrestling career, following in his father’s footsteps. However, his love of music led him to take a different path. He began to study the flute under the guidance of Pandit Bholanath Prasanna and later under Annapurna Devi, daughter of Allauddin Khan. His dedication and extraordinary talent allowed him to quickly establish himself as one of the leading exponents of the bansuri flute. Hariprasad Chaurasia is renowned for its ability to blend tradition and innovation, enriching the Indian classical repertoire with performances ranging from Hindustani music to international collaborations.
During his career, he received numerous honors, including Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000), two of the highest civilian honors in India. He also founded the Vrindavan Gurukul in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar, institutions dedicated to teaching Indian classical music.
In addition to his solo career, Chaurasia has collaborated with various international artists, bringing Indian classical music to world stages. His musical legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians, consolidating his role as one of the greatest masters of the bansuri flute.
