The living legend, Hariprasad Chaurasia, is an Indian classical flautist and music director, celebrated for taking the bansuri to the world stage. His career spans decades, blending traditional music with global influences. He made made music for films in collaboration with another legend, Shiv Kumar Sharma, with the name Shiv-Hari.
Early Life
Hariprasad Chaurasia was born on July 1, 1938, in Allahabad, which is now called Prayagraj. His father, Chhedilal Pehelwan, was a wrestler who envisioned a similar path for his son. His mother passed away when Hariprasad was six, leaving him with his father and siblings. He grew up in a non-musical household, facing pressure to join the akhada. Despite this, his interest in music emerged early, nurtured secretly at a friend’s house.
Hariprasad’s father pushed him toward wrestling and stenography. But his interest was always in music, at 15, he began vocal training under Pandit Rajaram, a neighbor. Within a year, he switched to the bansuri after hearing Pandit Bholanath Prasanna, a renowned flautist from Varanasi. He trained under Bholanath for eight years, mastering the instrument. He started working at All India Radio in Cuttack in 1957
Hariprasad Chaurasia – The Bansuri Master
While at All India Radio, he sought guidance from Annapurna Devi, daughter of Ustad Allaudin Khan. He faced a three-year pursuit to convince Annapurna Devi to teach him. She demanded he unlearn prior techniques and switch to left-handed playing, a condition he met, shaping his unique style.
Chaurasia entered films through a chance opportunity. While working at All India Radio, he moved to Mumbai in 1960. A phone call from Master Sonik, assisting Madan Mohan, led to his first film session when the original flautist failed to appear. His talent impressed composers, opening doors in the industry.
Chaurasia’s memorable works span classical and film music. His album “Call of the Valley (1967)” with Shivkumar Sharma and Brij Bhushan Kabra blended santoor, guitar, and flute, gaining international acclaim. Internationally, he partnered with John McLaughlin in the fusion group Shakti and played on The Beatles’ “The Inner Light” (1968), written by George Harrison. He also collaborated with Jan Garbarek, Ken Lauber, and Yehudi Menuhin, blending Indian and Western styles.
He also worked with Indian artists like Zakir Hussain, Ravi Shankar, L Subramanyam, and Alla Rakha.
Shiv–Hari
Hariprasad Chaurasia formed the Shiv-Hari duo with Shivkumar Sharma, scoring music for major films. Their first film was Yash Chopra’s Silsila (1981), which is still remembered for its melodies like “Neela Aasman So Gaya,” “Dekha Ek Khwab,” “Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum,” and “Rang Barse Bhige Chunar Wali,” achieving cult status over time.
They again collaborated with Chopra for films like Faasle (1985), Vijay (1988), Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991), Darr (1993), and Prampara (1993). They also gave music to the Madhuri, Rishi Kapoor, and Sanjay Dutt starrer “Sahibaan (1993).”
Some of their most famous songs include “Faasle Hain Bahut,” and “Hum Chup Hain” in Faasle, “Baadal Pe Chal Ke Aa” in Vijay, “Aa Meri Jaan,” “Chandni O Meri i O Meri Chandni,” “Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki,” “Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyaan,” “Parbat Se Kaali Ghata Takraee,” and “Tere Mere Hothon Pe,” in Chandni, “Kabhi Main Kahoon,” “Morni Bagaan men Nache,” “Megha Re Megha,” and “Mohe Chhedo Na Nand Ke Lala” in Lamhe, “Ang Se Ang Lagana,” “Jaadu Teri Nazar,” “Likha Hai Yeh In Hawaon Pe,” and “Tu Mere Saamne Main Tere Saamne” in Darr, and “Sahiban Meri Sahiban” in Saahiban.
Chaurasia also He worked with Bhubaneswar Mishra as Bhuban-Hari for Odia films. He played for K. Viswanath’s “Sirivennela (1986)” under the music direction of K. V. Mahadevan. The film tells a story of a blind flautist, portrayed by Sarvadaman Banerjee. He collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja for “Nothing but Wind (1988).”
Personal Life and Accolades
Chaurasia gets the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1984), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Padma Vibhushan (2000). He was also bestowed with Konark Samman (1992).
Yash Bharati Samman (1994), Dinanath Mangeshkar Award (2000), and Akshaya Samman (2009). He also gets an honorary doctorate from North Orissa University and Utkal University.
“Bansuri Guru (2013),” a documentary by his son Rajeev, chronicled his legacy. NDTV listed him among India’s 25 greatest living legends in 2013. His official biography was released in 2019 by the title “Breath of Gold,” written by Sathya Saran.
Hariprasad Chaurasia married twice. His first wife, Kamala Devi, bore sons Vinay and Ajay. Chaurasia’s second wife, Anuradha Roy, a singer, gave birth to Rajeev. His nephew, Rakesh Chaurasia, continues the family legacy as a flautist. His health declined with Parkinson’s disease in later years.
Hariprasad Chaurasia on IMDB
