Hariprasad Chaurasia is universally regarded as the greatest living master of the Bansuri, the North Indian bamboo flute. Furthermore, he is the most prolific performer of Indian music today, in constant demand from fans and promoters for performances in all corners of the world. Over four decades, he has maintained a hectic international touring schedule, which is the envy of the younger generation of musicians.
The fact that Hariprasad Chaurasia does not hail from a family of musicians makes his achievements the more remarkable. His father was a distinguished wrestler who actively discouraged musical study. Fortunately for the young aspiring musician, the vibrant musical surroundings of his home town, Allahabad, provided him access to some of India?s most prominent musicians. His early vocal training bears a major influence on his style of playing, which skillfully reflects all the subtle nuances and textures of the voice.
In Indian mythology, the flute is associated with Lord Krishna, whose divine music hypnotized his followers (gopis) into blind devotion. For almost half a century, Hariprasad Chaurasia has captured the hearts of his audiences, successfully transforming the flute from a marginalized folk instrument into an established part of the Indian Classical music scene.
Discography:
Call Of The Valley, with Shivkumar Sharma Brijbhushan Kabra (His Master’s Voice, 1968)
Flute Recital (His Master’s Voice, 1970)
Down Melody Lane Down Melody Lane (His Master’s Voice, 1973)
La Flute De Hariprasad Chaurasia (Disques Espérance 1976)
Thumriyan Vol. II (EMI, 1977)
The Distinctive Two, Violin & Flute Jugalbandi V. G. Jog and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia (His Master’s Voice, 1978)
Breaking New Ground (His Master’s Voice, 1980)
Flute Concert (Ravi Shankar Music Circle, 1981)
Flute Fantasy (His Master’s Voice, 1981)
Hariprasad Chaurasia (Chhanda Dhara, 1982))
In Concert In Concert (His Master’s Voice, 1982)
Sound & Light (EMI, 1982)
Sound of Bamboo (Loft, 1983)
The Musical Hour–Glass (His Master’s Voice 1984)
La Flute De Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Disques Espérance, 1984)
Indira Kalyan (His Master’s Voice ECSD 2989 1984)
Eternity (His Master’s Voice 1985)
Charm Of The Bamboo Flute (Oriental Records, 1985)
La Flute De Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia (Disques Espérance, 1985)
Fabulous Flute Of Hariprasad Chaurasia(Chhanda Dhara, 1985)
Music of India Vol. II. Melodies on Santoor, Flute and Guitar (His Master’s Voice, 1985)
Raga Abhogi (Chhanda Dhara, 1986)
In Concert (His Master’s Voice, 1987)
Rāg Ahir Bhairav (Nimbus Records, 1988)
Rāg Kaunsī (Nimbus Records, 1989)
Mangal Dhwani (His Master’s Voice, 1989)
Indian Night Live Stuttgart ’88. Raga Malkauns (Chhanda Dhara, 1989)
Venu (Rykodisc, 1989)
Rāg Lalit (Nimbus Records, 1989)
Now! (Tao Music, 1990)
Night Ragas Volume One (Music Today 1990)
Flute (Classical Instrumental) (T-Series, 1990 )
Written On The Wind (Audiorec Classics, 1990)
Mangal Dhwani (His Master’s Voice, 1990)
The Most Celebrated Flutist Of India: Raga Mian Ki Malhar (Chhanda Dhara, 1990))
Afternoon Ragas (Vol 2) (Music Today, 1990)
Afternoon Ragas (Vol 4) (Music Today, 1990)
Rāg Bhimpalāsi (Nimbus Records, 1991)
Flute (Music Today, 1991)
Megh Malhar – Volume Three (Music Today, 1991)
Basant Bahar Volume Four (Music Today, 1991)
Chaurasia’s Choice (Magnasound 1992)
Flute Fantasia (T-Series, 1992)
Raga-s Du Nord Et Du Sud (Disques Adès, 1992)
Music Of The Rivers (Music Today, 1993)
Raga Darbari Kanada / Dhun In Raga Mishra Pilu (Nimbus Records, 1993)
Live At Shivaji Park – Bombay / Rag Jog (Navras, 1993)
Raga Jait (Navras, 1993)
Daylight Ragas (Chhanda Dhara, 1993)
Raga – Classical Instrumental – Flute Raga (Tips, 1994 )
In A Mellow Mood (Music India, 1994)
Bansuri Virtuoso (Seven Seas, 1994)
Ideas On Flute (EMI, 1994)
The Elements – Wind (Living Media India, 1995)
Meditative Romance (New Earth Records, 1995)
Cascades of Hindustani Music (Oriental Records, 1995)
Malhar Chandrika (Immortal Series, 1995)
Murali – Prasādam (Raga Mohanam / Bhoopali) (Navras, 1995)
Saptarishi (A Constellation Of Stars) (Magnasound, 1995)
Morning Melody – Rāga Gurjari Todi (Maharishi Gandharva Veda, 1995)
Ragas Lalit & Sindhi Bhairavi (Navras, 1995)
Raga Bageshri (Navras Records, 1995)
The Valley Recalls – Raga Bhoopali (Navras, 1996)
The Mystical Flute of Hariprasad Chaurasia (Oriental Records, 1996)
Classical Encounters 2 (BMG Crescendo, 1996)
Raga Patdip, Pahadi Dhun (Nimbus Records, 1996)
Moon Magic (India Meets Java And Africa) (WML, 1996)
The Bamboo Flutist Of This Generation (Chhanda Dhara, 1996)
Out Of The Blue (Pan Music, 1996)
Four Dhuns (Nimbus Records, 1997)
Melody for Relaxation (Sunset Melody) – Rāga Puriyā Dhanāshrī (Maharishi World Center Of Gandharva-Ved, 1997) )
Raga Durgawati & Mishra Shivaranjani (Navras, 1997)
Melody For Dynamism (Morning Melody) – Rāga Jaita (1997)
Melody for Love And Happiness (Late Night Melody) – Rāga Shuddha Vasanta (1997)
Beyond Barriers (Vol 2) (RPG Music, 1997)
Golden Raaga Collection (Times Music, 1998)
Krishnadhwani – Volume 2 (Music Today, 1998)
Remember Shakti (Verve Records, 1999)
Hari-Krishna: In Praise Of Janmashtami (Raag Mala) (Navras, 1999)
Pure Joy (Positive Energy Music) Volume 1 (Ninaad NCCD 0020 1999)
Rasdhara (Navras Records, 1999)
Raga Bageshwari (Times Music, 1999)
The Raga Guide (A Survey Of 74 Hindustani Ragas) (Nimbus Records, 1999)
Maestro’s Choice Series 2 (Music Today, 2000)
Krishna’s Charm (Oreade Music, 2000)
Music Without Boundaries (Navras Records, 2000)
In Concert Pandit Jasraj, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Zakir Hussain (Music Today, 2000)
Caravan – Gypsies Floating On The Cloud Spain (Ninaad Music, 2000)
Classical Instrumental Vol-1 Raga – Chandrakauns (Fountain, 2001)
Raga Hemavati (Times Music, 2002)
Raga Basant Mukhari (Times Music, 2002)
Healing Music For Ayurveda (Oreade Music, 2002)
Beyond Barriers Volume 1 (RPG Music, 2004)
O Soul Song (Douglas, 2004)
Music Of The Valleys (Music Today, 2004)
Yugal Bundi (Saregama, 2005)
Bamboo Music (Rasa Records, 2005)
Indian Classical Duets Vol 3 (Virgin, 2006)
Brindavan Odyssey – A Spiritual Quest (Saregama, 2006)
Guru-Shisya (Sense Music, 2006)
Ode To Ganga (Music Today, 2006)
Moon Light Moods – Flute Recital (Venus, 2001)
Flute Recital Vol. 2 (Venus, 2008)
Swar Shikhar – Live In Jaipur (Virgin, 2008)
Classical Wonders Of India – Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia (Asa Music, 2009)
Dancing River (Malimba Records, 2009)
Music For Reiki Music (Saregama, 2010)
Power & Grace (Times Music, 2011)
Spiritual Lounge (EMI, 2011)
Jugalbandi – II (Times Music, 2011)
Ajanma (granvat. 2014)
Maestros Together (Navras, 2015)
The Best Of Maestro’s – Flute Hindustani Classical (Music Today, 2018)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
