Rakesh Chaurasia premieres 'Symphony of Bansuri' in Cape Town: a fusion of Eastern and Western music

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5 days ago

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