Blowing his flute for a cause

The serene beauty of Lotus Temple at dusk turned glorious when renowned flautist Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia picked up his bamboo flute and struck the right notes which compelled his audience to sway in delight. Music connoisseurs from across the City gathered here for Artists Against Cancer campaign 2013 which was kicked off on World Cancer Daywith with a concert by Pt Chaurasia.

The programme commenced with lighting of the ceremonial lamp which was followed by the mesmerising Raag Sandhyashree. He then played Raag Hamsadhwani and Raag Pahari. His fingers provided wings to the simple bansuri. Panditji’s little tricks on the bansuri, reminded one of natkhat nandlal and ensured that his audience hugely enjoyed every note. But it was only at certain times that his accompanist on tabla Ustad Rashid Mustafa ‘Thirakwa’, himself an accomplished player, was able to match him successfully. 

It was a treat to listen to the melodious compositions for nearly two hours as the Padma Bhushan awardee played not just the flute but also spoke with his audience in between his compositions. Despite being close to 70, Panditji was full of energy and enthusiasm and took his admirers on an unforgettable musical journey. The jugalbandi between Hariji and Ustad Thirakwa kept the audience engrossed throughout the first two compositions, which were markedly joyous.

The concluding piece though, was remorseful and filled with serious notes. He suddenly started playing cheerful notes again but this time only for a few minutes. He then picked a smaller and thinner flute and played it towards the last leg of the concert, as if to admonish the audience that this was not the end and with a promise that he would be back!After the performance, Hariji said that concerts for a cause are required to create awareness about the deadly disease. “Music is omnipresent and collaboration between music and healing diseases is already there. Abroad, music therapy is an established practice and it is good that it is gaining popularity in India too.” 

For the audience, the performance enabled them to witness in person, the legendary tales of Lord Krishna enchanting the gopis with his flute!