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IOL News
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Rakesh Chaurasia premieres 'Symphony of Bansuri' in Cape Town: a fusion of Eastern and Western music
Two-time Grammy Award-winning flautist Rakesh Chaurasia Image: Ian Landsberg Rakesh Chaurasia, the two-time Grammy Award-winning maestro of the Indian bamboo flute known as the bansuri is in Cape Town for the world premiere of Symphony of Bansuri, a groundbreaking fusion of Eastern music and Western classical traditions at the Artscape on Saturday 2 August. 'Where we are showcasing and showing the world that one harmony can be reached through different disciplines of music,' he explained. The journey to Cape Town was sparked by a long-standing encouragement from Zakir Hussain. 'There's a small story about me and Ustad Zakir Hussain when I used to compose some pieces and used to make him listen. And he used to tell me that, you should write a symphony on flute. And nobody has done it before. 'So basically composing a thing. So I said, no, this is not my cup of tea. It's very difficult for us who have, like, all my life we have done the improvisation music to be in a box and do everything. But he said, no, you should do it, because no wonder you are doing a classical, but you should do this.' Eventually, Chaurasia embraced the challenge. 'I wrote some music, and the music, which was morally appreciated and approved by Ustaz Zakir Hussain. And then Nisar, I told Nisar Bhai that I am ready to do it. He said, OK, definitely we'll do it. And then I went on the internet and I was listening to the Cape Town Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. They were amazing. And so I wanted to do it with them first.' The choice of Cape Town wasn't only musical. 'South Africa is one of my favourite countries. I came first when I started my career in 89' somewhere, you know, and especially Cape Town. It's so sweet. People are so beautiful here and always a warmth welcome. I get it.' Chaurasia's creative vision is rooted in unity through contrast. 'As I always say that we are the two sides of a country which present the classic form. So the Indian culture, heritage music, the classical form is very strong and the Eastern classical form is very strong. So why not bring them together?' 'Somewhere we find common ground and try to figure it out because it sounds great because and the best part — it's totally organic. It's totally acoustic unplugged. Unplugged symphony. Rakesh Chaurasia, widely regarded as one of India's greatest living musicians, practicing with the CT Philharmonic Orchestra for the upcoming world premiere of Symphony of Bansuri Image: Ian Landsberg 'There's so much happening in the world. I think the two sides of the country and I think the music in common can give peace of mind to anyone. Because I've seen a lot of people saying that music is not my cup of tea. But what I believe, God has given birth to everyone with tone, which is what we speak, and a beat, which is heartbeat. 'Everybody has music running inside and stays with the music. I think that's the best way of being calm and doesn't have any language, doesn't have any religion. Anybody can accept it. Anybody can listen to it. You don't have to be knowledgeable to understand the music. Just sit and enjoy, while we show the world that we can be from different places, different religions, cultures, outlooks, but we are capable of becoming one.' Chaurasia described the collaboration with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) as both intricate and rewarding. 'Well, the pieces, we were sharing it in a group to our conductor and it has been taking quite a bit of time for me to compose, to write a song and then to send it here. I have some songs which have been arranged by an Italian guy and some pieces from our Indian pianist, Sangeet Haldipur. So my job was to write a song and their job was to make it decorated and sound more beautiful. 'They were so compatible and so easygoing. And I was listening to them and we're going to rehearse for two days and really listening to them and I've been already — I have my flute in my hand and I was enjoying. I wanted to play with them. So I'm really looking forward to them.' Chaurasia's intentions for the audience go far beyond entertainment. 'The bansuri itself stands for spirituality and meditative because this instrument has been played by Lord Krishna, which you can imagine. How old is this instrument? According to history, it's like 5,000 years old. And it's one of the most organic instruments because nothing has been applied on this instrument which comes from the factory. It's a small piece of bamboo with a few holes and one side is always shut down with the natural knot of the bamboo.' The performance will reflect this heritage and innovation. 'We are presenting ... trying to present all kinds of genres. Because as everybody knows, we have a mixed audience. So in the beginning, I'm going to start with classical. The Indian traditional way, classical, where the people can really meditate and take the joy of the classical genre. Then we'll have a break. Then we'll start with a symphony, a special piece composed for Cape Town people. Rakesh Chaurasia Image: Ian Landsberg
IOL News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
The Bamboo Virtuoso: A conversation with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia
Grammy Award-winning bansuri master Rakesh Chaurasia brings his breath-taking artistry to Cape Town in a world premiere of orchestral fusion. Image: Supplied There are flautists. And then there's Rakesh Chaurasia - the globally acclaimed Indian classical musician whose artistry on the bansuri, the traditional bamboo flute, has earned him stages, standing ovations, and two Grammy Awards, including the 2024 Best global music performance for the song Pashto and Best contemporary instrumental album for 'As We speak' with Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and the late Ustad Zakir Hussain. The nephew and musical heir of the legendary Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Rakesh has carved a formidable legacy of his own - one marked by technical brilliance, deep emotional expression, and an open-hearted embrace of collaboration. From Indian ragas to global jazz, and now symphonic arrangements, his music defies genre while staying rooted in tradition. As he prepares for the world premiere of Symphony of Bansuri with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) this August, we sat down with Rakesh to explore lineage, innovation, and what it means to find your own voice through breath. Q: Rakesh, you're returning to South Africa with something extraordinary - the world premiere of Symphony of Bansuri. What makes this concert so meaningful to you? Rakesh Chaurasia: This is a very special project. The bansuri has always been a solo instrument in Indian classical music. To now present it in dialogue with a full Western orchestra… it's like giving it a new dimension, a new space to breathe in. And to do this in South Africa - a country with such a deep musical soul and that I have visited several times before - feels very right. Q: Your musical lineage is remarkable. What was it like growing up in the shadow and tutelage of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia? RC: In one word: humbling. I was lucky to have music in the air at home. But it wasn't easy. There was discipline, high expectation, and a deep respect for the tradition. My uncle didn't just teach me notes - he taught me how to listen, how to feel. Over time, I had to find my own tone, my own style. That's the journey of every artist - to honour where you come from, but to speak in your own voice. Q: You've collaborated across borders and genres - from classical to world music and fusion. How do you stay grounded in your classical roots while embracing new forms? RC: It's about intention. If the collaboration is rooted in sincerity, mutual respect, and love for the music - it works. I don't fuse styles just for the sake of it. I try to let the bansuri speak in all these different languages while keeping its soul intact. Music has no passport - only emotion. Q: What excites you about performing with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra? RC: Oh, everything! The lush textures, the expansive sound… and most importantly, the chance to introduce the bansuri to new ears in a new setting. There's something magical when traditions meet without ego - just curiosity and heart. Next Stay Close ✕ Experience the breath-taking artistry of Grammy Award-winning bansuri master Rakesh Chaurasia as he premieres his orchestral fusion in Cape Town Image: Supplied Q: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance? RC: I hope they close their eyes and feel something true - peace, joy, maybe even a memory. The bansuri is an ancient instrument, made of bamboo, breath, and silence. It doesn't shout - it whispers. But if you listen, it can carry you somewhere beautiful. Q: You've reached incredible heights. What still inspires you to keep playing, practising, evolving? RC: The music itself. It's endless. Every note still humbles me. And every time I pick up the flute, I remind myself: I am just a channel. The music flows through me - not from me. Symphony of Bansuri, featuring Rakesh Chaurasia and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, premieres at the Artscape Opera House on 2 August 2025. Presented by Inner Circle Entertainment, it's a rare opportunity to witness a master at the height of his creative power. Tickets via Ticketmaster and the Artscape Box Office from R200 – R1000. IOL
TimesLIVE
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Rakesh Chaurasia on ‘Symphony of Bansuri'
He was born into one of India's most revered musical families and his uncle is the flute legend Hariprasad Chaurasia. He has spent a lifetime balancing tradition with experimentation. 'The legacy is a responsibility. Sometimes I feel I'm carrying dumbbells on my chest,' he admitted. 'But classical music gives you a framework, and once you master it through practice, it gives you the confidence to take risks.' Asked what the bansuri can express that no other instrument can, he said: 'It's completely organic. No factory-made components. Only bamboo and breath. Because when you play it's close to the vocal cords, it's like singing through wood, and it reflects everything you feel. If I'm happy, it shows. If I'm sad, it shows.' In a world spinning ever faster, Chaurasia believes Indian classical music offers something increasingly rare: peace. 'My Spotify stats show people listen to my music mostly at night. It helps them unplug. Music is built into us. Heartbeat is rhythm, voice is tone, emotions are melody. It's the food for the soul.' He's excited about playing with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, sharing that he's looking forward to 'the lush textures, the expansive sound of a full orchestra and most importantly, the chance to introduce the bansuri to new ears in a new setting. There's something magical when traditions meet without ego, only curiosity and heart.' The Symphony of Bansuri is more than a concert. It's a conversation between East and West, between history and possibility and, perhaps, between you and something greater than yourself. Don't miss the chance to hear the flute that has charmed gods and animals wrapped in orchestral splendour in the city that welcomed him more than 30 years ago.
