Thursday, March 6, 2025
On Tour: Rakesh Chaurasia
Bansuri flute master Rakesh Chaurasia has worked with the likes of Zakir Hussain and Talvin Singh. We talk to him as he prepares to tour the UK with leading tabla player Shahbaz Hussain
Could you tell us a little about the influence of your uncle, Hariprasad Chaurasia?
My uncle Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is definitely responsible for who I am today. I was exposed to his music since my childhood. Initially I would try to replicate every note, every phrase he played. Over the years, I have [added] my own understanding, making it my style. But at the core of my music, lies everything that I have learnt from him.
What can you tell us about Talvin Singh’s OK and the Greeks & Indians albums that you played on?
Working on the Greeks & Indians albums was a unique experience. We landed in Greece and immediately got down to creating music. And all this while not understanding even a word of our respective languages. Despite that, together we created eight albums, and performed all over Europe… Collaborating with Talvin Singh, the ‘King of Underground Music’, was yet again unique. He was the first Indian to be a Mercury awardee. Blending his techno music with our Indian sounds was challenging. But, a combination of Shankar Mahadevan’s vocals, Sultan Khan’s music on the sarangi and mine on the flute, did the magic.
What do you think the standing of Indian classical music is in the current moment? Do you think it’s as important and/or popular as it’s always been?
The credit of popularising Indian classical music goes to legends such as my guru, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and many more. The rise in the numbers of global festivals featuring Indian classical musicians is testimony to the style’s acceptance and popularity across the globe. Fusion music has played a major role here; the blending of global sounds has drawn in bigger crowds.
We’re so sorry about the loss of Zakir Hussain, who you worked closely with. What was it like working with Zakir and what does his loss mean for you?
The world of music has lost not just a performer, but a thinker, an innovator who always brought out the best in his co-performers, me included. Our album ZaRa (Zakir and Rakesh), produced and marketed by Zakir ji’s company Moment Records has been loved [the] world over. He will be missed by the audiences too. Travelling with him widely, which also included long road trips, gave me opportunities to watch him closely. My lessons went beyond music. I imbibed life lessons from him. He believed in my music, and invited me to collaborate on the album As We Speak. So, the credit for the two Grammys I brought back to India, goes completely to Zakir ji.
Will this UK tour be your first time performing with Shahbaz Hussain? What can people expect?
I have had earlier opportunities of performing with Shahbaz Hussain. It’s always a pleasure. Together, we look forward to presenting both pure Indian classical as well as some light Indian music.
TOUR DATES
15 Mar Bristol Beacon, Bristol
16 Mar The Tung Auditorium, Liverpool
20 Mar Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
21 Mar The Glasshouse, Gateshead
22 Mar Curve, Slough
23 Mar SJE Arts, Oxford
Tour details at asianartsagency.co.uk/event/rakesh-chaurasia-uk-tour
