Hari Prasad Chaurasia to perform in Australia

“Music has become my religion” – HARI PRASAD CHAURASIA

By admin Tuesday July 20, 2010

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Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia has become one of India’s most-respected classical musicians, earning several awards, including the National Award of the Sangeet Natak Academy, which he won in 1984. In 1992, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Konarak Samman. In 1994, he was bestowed the Yash Bharati Sanman and in 2000, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan. In the year 2000, he also received the Hafiz Ali Khan Award and the Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.He is one of the busiest and most sought-after contemporary musicians in the world today.

Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia are coming to Australia to perform at the Freedom Concert 2010. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia answers questions on the eve of his Australian performance.

Australia is looking forward to having you perform at THE FREEDOM CONCERT 2010, how have your past experiences in Australia been?

I have visited Australia a number of times, and each time has been better than the previous one. I am really looking forward to perform in Australia and celebrate our Independence Day with all of you this time.

What is going to be the theme of your concert on the eve of India’s Independence Day in Sydney and also in Melbourne?

Music is my love. And because it is my love, music has become my religion. I consider music to be the best way of spreading love and harmony, and I am going to spread the message of love and harmony. I am playing for the audience. But between us, I can see Lord Krishna. And the audience can also see him. It is this experience that I wish to share on that day.

A decade back there was a resurgence of interest amongst the youth in traditional musical forms, do you think these people have now moved again in droves to Bollywood music. Especially after the Rahman years youngsters have been attracted to filmi music?

Well, this trend won’t last. Even when these youngsters do these remixes, they are going to the old songs. Eventually you cannot stop the sun from rising, the water from flowing, the moon from spreading its light and you cannot change the seven notes to anything else.

Classical music will retain its luster-the pollution will be washed away. I’m really not worried by this temporary deviation. All music eventually comes out of this form, so sooner or later, you see them back in this form, because this is where from it all originates. Whoever gets involved in this field becomes spiritual because the music itself is purely spiritual. This music is a prayer, a rare kind of prayer. Music is created by the Supreme entity (‘Brahma’) so that we can get an understanding or a view (‘Darshan’) of that entity.

Indian students in Australia had a very tough period last year. Will you be carrying any message for them?

I would like to tell them to believe in love and harmony, carry on working hard, and make all of us proud.

You have collaborated in Bollywood and created beautiful music which is a pleasure to listen to even after so many years. Tell us about it, and also working closely with Shiv Ji?

I worship Shiv Kumar Sharma from the deepest interiors of my heart. He is the elder brother I was lucky to have. Shiv ji is not of this world, I realized that the moment I set eyes on him. We met in the 1950s at a youth festival and then again in Bombay in 1961, and became very close. Creating music together has been a fascinating experience each time.

How did you come up with the beautiful music for Silsila movie. While creating the music did you ever spiritual inner self, ever think it will be such a big hit?

Music flows with the moment, and all that matters is to make something which inspires you spiritually. One would never know how big a certain soundtrack can become, it is that moment, that state of mind and that thought of creating something new that gives us great music. It happens by establishing your connection with the divine.

What are your experiences about playing with Western musicians?

I have collaborated with several western musicians, including John McLaughlin and Jan Gabarek. It has been extremely satisfying and creative.

What message do you have for the Indian community living in Australia?

The amount of happiness I get when I see our culture so well preserved with them is something that makes all Indians very proud. I wish all the community a lot of prosperity and happiness.

We listen to Hariprasad Chaurasia. What does Hariprasad Chaurasia listen to?

I love traditional music, and folk tunes. I was in Korea recently and asked them after my performance to play their traditional music. They did and I had a wonderful time.

You celebrate “Janmashtami” with your students at Vrindaban Gurukul by paying tribute to Lord Krishna by playing the flute for 24 hours. How do you manage to perform for such long hours?

I dare to dream that through my playing and through my students my flute will be left behind as the memory of Krishna. It is this dream that gives me my strength, and I don’t feel that I have played long enough. I could still perhaps, go on for longer hours, because I have the blessings of Lord Krishna. Like I said, music for me is very spiritual, and so there is no fatigue when one is playing. I guess I don’t get the time to get tired! There have been occasions where I have flown to a different country for a 1 hour recital and flown back immediately after to perform somewhere else. For me my music is my aradhana, my prayer, and each auditorium a temple. Music rejuvenates and energizes me and the love I have received in return is the greatest reward.