SYNOPSIS
BANSURI GURU is a documentary film on flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
Seven decades in the life of the maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, the living legend and exponent of the bansuri, the Indian bamboo flute. The film takes these poignant years of his life and unravels the story of a man who was pre-ordained to be an extraordinary musician, despite every possible rule in the rule book that drove him the other way. A story of a man’s triumph against odds to achieve that one thing closest to him – his passion, his perseverance to excel and his destiny to master his passion.
The film is aptly titled ‘Bansuri Guru’, two words that sum up a life’s journey in quest for excellence, mastering a passion and preparing to leave a legacy for future generations.
The film will cover the following chapters of his life:
- His childhood in Allahabad – 1938 to 1948
- His teen years in Allahabad as a young apprentice – 1948 to 1958
- His 20s in Orissa as an AIR (All India Radio) musician – 1958 to 1961
- His 30s in Mumbai as a newcomer to the Hindi film Industry – 1961 to 1968
- The turning point in his life - focus on classical music and the search for his Guru – 1968 till now
- His initiation to world stage and music, global collaborations – 1970s till now
- His contribution to the music world and the establishment of the Vrindaban Gurukuls
By way of these chapters we will get the maestro’s views on a range of topics that will inspire his fans and followers and help them understand how geniuses just move on from one milestone to another - never really resting, but merely struggling to move to the next tent-pole.
The film has been shot in the maestro’s environment – his home and school both in Mumbai and Bhubaneswar in India and in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Year of Production 2012; Duration – 60 minutes; Directed by Rajeev Chaurasia; Produced by Films Division of India, Government of India.