Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia

About This Artist

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is widely credited with transforming the bansuri from a folk and light-classical instrument into a vehicle for serious Hindustani classical performance. His warm, breathy tone and extraordinary breath control allow him to sustain long, meditative alap passages that are among the most beautiful in all of Indian music. Chaurasia studied under Annapurna Devi (daughter of Baba Allauddin Khan), who profoundly shaped his approach. His famous jugalbandi recordings with guitarist John McLaughlin and flautist Shivkumar Sharma are milestones. He also composed Bollywood film scores, including the iconic Silsila and Chandni, with Shivkumar Sharma as the duo Shiv-Hari.

Notable Facts

• Elevated the bansuri to a leading solo instrument in Hindustani classical music
• Studied under Annapurna Devi, the reclusive daughter of Baba Allauddin Khan
• Half of the legendary "Shiv-Hari" duo with Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
• Composed scores for Bollywood films including Silsila, Chandni, and Darr
• Received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor