Music maestro and flutist Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia is here in Hyderabad to bring us a memorable evening, along with Ustad Zakir Hussain today. The Pioneer interacted with the virtuoso who spoke about the influence of his uncle Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, his experience sharing the stage with Ustad Zakir Hussain, Hyderabad as a welcoming city for Indian Classical Music, and more.
Tejal Sinha
Just like his uncle Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Rakesh Chaurasia brings out the right balance of strength and serenity, which are very critical factors for an exceptional flutist. His dextrous blowing technique coupled with his training in ‘Swar’ and ‘Tala’ exudes adeptly in his emotions through the hollow piece of bamboo. Rakesh has already globe trotted many times over, enthralling audiences at classical and semi-classical concerts around the world.
Having grew up with the best of music in his family, before even he would know, he was under the spell of his uncle’s flute. “Without a shred of doubt, I owe my musical journey to Babuji in a big way. He is the one who initiated me into this and is even today a pole star to me,” said the flutist maestro.
Hyderabad! Get ready to witness an evening of melody and rythm, and a memorable concert of a lifetime by the Indian musical duo – Ustad Zakir Hussain, who is a tabla player, composer, percussionist and music producer; and Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia, a flutist who plays the bansuri, at Shilpakala Vedika today. The Pioneer got the opportunity to connect with the virtuoso ahead of his performance, and the music connoisseur says, “Each performance with Ustad ji is a lesson in music and the art of performance. It is a joy to see how he courts the seven notes of music differently on each occasion. His years of practice and penance shines even on you on stage while he performs with sheer joy. Each time he proves that he is the undisputed king of rhythm. All I can do is be a good receiver and a skillful accompanist. When you are performing with a maestro from a different genre of music, all that matters is how well you understand your own work and each other musically; also respect the capabilities and boundaries that come with it. And after one point, the boundaries are blurred and all that remains is great music.”
The music genius who is here in Hyderabad has been in the city earlier too for several concerts. With his tour to the ‘city of Nizams’, we were eager to know what’s something that attracts him the most about the city during his performance. “Hyderabad is a confluence of more than one culture where each stream has its own place and significance.
Hindustani, as well as Carnatic music, is well appreciated here by the discerning audience,” he enthused adding, “Hyderabad has a mature audience and has had enough exposure to great classical music. The folk music and that in Telugu films too has a huge classical influence. The audience is fortunate to be able to enjoy the music variety.”
Michael Tilson Thomas once said, “Classical music is an unbroken, living tradition that goes back over 1,000 years, and every one of those years has had something unique and powerful to say to us about what it’s like to be alive.” And we’re sure many would relate to this, and now even the current generation, as they have showed immense interest over classical music lately. The virtuoso couldn’t agree more as he says, “Indian classical music, Hindustani or Carnatic genre, is here since ancient times and will remain here till infinity. It is a welcome change that the new generation is feeling attracted to classical music. All that matters is whether the music speaks to your soul. Young ones should try out all types of music and not limit themselves to any particular type. Listening to many types of music will give a ‘mijaaz ‘ to the listener and performer.”
As we come to the end of the chat with the maestro, he says, “Indian classical music as a career was never as attractive as it is today. The audience is less demanding. There are many ways to learn music unlike the earlier guru shishya parampara. There are also online performance places. Gone is the long arduous journey of music, today Indian classical music is much more within reach. The things that remain constant are its demanding nature and stress on excellence. Also even today the rasika is the ultimate judge of your skill and talent, the maker of your destiny.”
