Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasiya (Bansuri)

Mandar's concert report

Attended concert of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasiya (Bansuri) titled "Elements - Vāyu", accompanied by Pt. Shubhankar Banerjee (Tabla), Pt. Bhavani Shankar (Pakhawaj) and Vivek Sonar (Flute accompaniment). The concert was organized by Tamburine Live at Madinat theater, Dubai on 26th Sep 2014. I attended the convert with Jayant, Sucheeta, Nandu, Deepa and Raju.

The concert started with Evening Raga Madhuvanti (मधुवंती). He started aalap solo and was later joined by Pakhawaj. Bhavani Shankar played very well and drew applause from audience. Then Panditji played a composition in same Raga, in Rupak (रूपक) taal. Tabla accompanied him for this. Shubhankar played very well and drew spontaneous applause. He gave an excellent demonstration of constrained and controlled tabla playing.

Then Panditji announced that he will play one of his favorite Raga, but he will not tell the name. The rendition of Raga  was too good and audience was swayed mesmerized. His jugalbandi with tabalji was excellent. At the end of this Raga, Panditji asked the audience if they have recognized the Raga. Many from the audience recognized it as Hansadhwani (हंसध्वनी). Let me confess that I did not recognize it from Sur, but could recognize since I have heard Panditji's audio track of this Raga numerous times. Panditji was very happy that so many of the audience recognized it.

Then he asked what should he play in remaining 7 minutes. Suggestions ranged from Maand, Yaman, Bhairavi etc. But the suggestion he liked most was 'whichever you like (जो आप चाहो)' and played Pahadi (पहाडी). Audience liked the light music as digestive.

Panditji sat on a chair instead of traditional cross legged position. His hands had a distinct tremor, though it was less than last time I attended his concert in May 2013. The age has caught up.

The theater was very good. Sloping arrangement of seats ensured unhindered line of sight of stage for the audience. Acoustics were also very good. They had a 'No photography' policy and implemented it effectively.

Panditji liked the sound system so much that he called the sound engineer on stage and felicitated him.

An excellent concert and mesmerizing evening. Entertainment rating 8.75/10.