Bhubaneswar, April 13: In the Mahabharat, legend Karna is hailed for becoming a top archer despite being brought up in the house of a charioteer. In a similar manner, flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia re-establishes the power of passion, perseverance and determination through his journey as a legendary musician, despite coming from a family of wrestlers.
This and many more such aspects of the exponent’s life come out in the documentary Bansuri Guru made by Films Division of India and directed by the legend’s son Rajiv Chaurasia. The documentary film was launched in Bhubaneswar yesterday. A special screening will be conducted tomorrow.
“This will be the first documentary to be shown at multiplexes across the country,” said Rajiv. “The hour-long feature records Guruji’s life to inspire the future generations. I have made it with a lot of passion and love for my father as well as the great musician he is,” said the director.
The flautist’s unconventional background, his passion and struggles to achieve are what have been depicted through interviews of his colleagues at All India Radio, Cuttack, his friends in Holland and Mumbai.
“I was fortunate that while making this documentary I could find people, who had worked with him decades ago. In fact, they revealed his many other sides, which were a great discovery for me. People expect I know him completely since I am his son. But not being a musician, I had missed out on many of the amazing virtues of my father that I explored during the making of this documentary,” said Rajiv. “He grew up in an akhada family in Uttar Pradesh that did not believe in music and ran away from home to follow his passion,” said Chaurasia junior.
Though the 100-hour recorded footage was edited into an hour-long film, Rajiv is happy that the story of triumph of human endeavour is reflected in Bansuri Guru.
The flautist, himself, however, was not inclined to be recorded on camera initially.
“I am a flautist. Give me a microphone or make me sit on stage in front of lakhs. I will play the flute to my heart’s content. But expressing in front of the camera through words or gestures is not my cup of tea. They have actors for that. I was really glad when the shooting of the documentary was over,” winked the humble musician.
Rajiv, who feels that there should be more documentation of personalities in the fields of performing and visual arts and literature in India, said music lovers might soon get to see a film on Pandit Chaurasia’s life.
“Aamir Khan, my school friend, had once suggested me about a film on guruji. I am happy that some filmmakers have shown deep interest and shortly a biopic may be in the making,” said Rajiv.
At the special screening of the documentary at ITER auditorium, eminent Hindi film actress of yesteryear Waheeda Rehman will be present as special guest.
