Flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia performs at the Music in Park programme in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, March 9: The musical soiree at the Indira Gandhi Park began with the melodious performance of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia’s flute.

Named as Music In the Park, the musical soiree at the capital’s largest park began with the mellifluous Sandhyashree raga.

Along with the accompaniment of tabla and sarod, the notes of music rose and fell.

The maestro, who sat flanked by a young understudy and the man on tabla, said he was playing the particular raga to welcome the motley audience comprising joggers, women with children and the true blue music aficionados.

“Ragas change with the times of the day,” the internationally acclaimed flautist said in chaste Oriya as the crowd clapped in appreciation. For the record Pandit Chaurasia began his musical journey from Cuttack where he used to perform at the All India Radio and he also got married to an Oriya.

“It was absolute bliss. I wonder how he can play so beautifully at this age. His music has a healing touch,” said Sulata Udgata who was sitting among the audience.

The dim light around the venue helped create the right ambience to enjoy rendition of the flautist. Pandit ji’s wife Anuradha too was present at the event.

Before deciding to rest his flute for the day, the maestro played a few more exclusive ragas that would rarely get to hear.

“The effect would not have been the same had he played in a hall. It was like Krishna with his bansuri,” said Pradeep Barik, obviously overwhelmed.

A unique initiative of Spic Macay and Bhubaneswar Music Circle, the Music In the Park series that began last month has a few predecessors.

The first musical programme to be organised in the park was a Sitar recital by Ustad Shahid Parvez.

“This is a bid to popularise good music among the masses,” said Dhanada Mishra, one of the organisers. Pandit Chaurasia will perform next at the Ravenshaw University in Cuttack coming May.