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Hariprasad Chaurasia

Hariprasad Chaurasia

Bansuri (bamboo flute) maestro

1 July 1938 India Verified by our editors
Age
88 yrs
Birthday in 246 days
Works listed
3
Album, Film score
Honours
2
Most recent 2000
Profile views
1
0 followers

Hariprasad Chaurasia is the best-known exponent of the bansuri, the Indian bamboo flute, in Hindustani classical music. He has performed around the world, composed popular film music with santoor player Shivkumar Sharma as “Shiv–Hari”, and received the Padma Vibhushan.

Biography

Wrestler’s son

Hariprasad Chaurasia’s father was a wrestler who wanted his son to follow him, so he practised music secretly, first learning vocal music and then the flute. He joined All India Radio in Cuttack as a staff artist in 1957 and later moved to Bombay.

Learning from Annapurna Devi

In Bombay he persuaded Annapurna Devi, the reclusive daughter of Allauddin Khan, to teach him; she agreed only after he showed his commitment, and he is said to have changed from playing right-handed to left-handed to start afresh. Under her guidance he became a leading classical soloist.

Shiv–Hari and fusion

With santoor player Shivkumar Sharma and guitarist Brij Bhushan Kabra he recorded Call of the Valley (1967), one of the best-selling Indian classical albums. As the duo Shiv–Hari, he and Shivkumar Sharma composed music for Yash Chopra films including Silsila, Chandni, Lamhe and Darr. He has also collaborated with Western musicians such as John McLaughlin and Jan Garbarek.

Teacher

He founded the Vrindaban Gurukul in Mumbai, and later one in Bhubaneswar, to teach the bansuri in the traditional guru–shishya way. He received the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2000.

Timeline

  1. 1938

    Born in Allahabad, United Provinces (now Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh)

  2. 1957

    Joins All India Radio, Cuttack

  3. 1967

    Call of the Valley

  4. 1981

    Shiv–Hari score for Silsila

  5. 1992

    Padma Bhushan

  6. 2000

    Padma Vibhushan

  7. 2006

    Opens Vrindaban Gurukul

Notable works

  • 1967

    Call of the Valley Album

    With Shivkumar Sharma and Brij Bhushan Kabra.

  • 1981

    Silsila (music) Film score

    As Shiv–Hari.

  • 1989

    Chandni (music) Film score

    As Shiv–Hari.

Awards and honours

  • Padma Bhushan

    1992

  • Padma Vibhushan

    2000

Did you know?

  1. 1

    His father, a wrestler, did not want him to become a musician.

  2. 2

    He composed film music with santoor player Shivkumar Sharma.

  3. 3

    He runs a gurukul where students live and learn with him.

Connections

Frequently asked

Who is Hariprasad Chaurasia?

Hariprasad Chaurasia is the best-known exponent of the bansuri, the Indian bamboo flute, in Hindustani classical music. He has performed around the world, composed popular film music with santoor player Shivkumar Sharma as “Shiv–Hari”, and received the Padma Vibhushan.

How old is Hariprasad Chaurasia?

Hariprasad Chaurasia is 88 years old, born on 1 July 1938 in Allahabad, United Provinces (now Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh).

Where is Hariprasad Chaurasia from?

Hariprasad Chaurasia was born in Allahabad, United Provinces (now Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh).

What is Hariprasad Chaurasia known for?

Hariprasad Chaurasia is best known for Hindustani flute, Call of the Valley, Shiv–Hari film music.

What awards has Hariprasad Chaurasia received?

Notable honours include Padma Bhushan (1992), Padma Vibhushan (2000).

References

  1. Hariprasad Chaurasia — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  2. Hariprasad Chaurasia — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  3. Hariprasad Chaurasia — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  4. Hariprasad Chaurasia — Spotify. Spotify. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  5. Hariprasad Chaurasia — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  6. Official website. hariprasadchaurasia.com. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  7. Hariprasad Chaurasia (Q212512) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.

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“Hariprasad Chaurasia.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/hariprasad-chaurasia

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