Bengal Classical Music Fest ends
The curtains came down on the fifth Bengal Classical Music Festival, but not before maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia regaled the audience with a stellar performance on flute. From the start to end, this 78 years legend played the tune like he wasn’t in this realm.
When Hariprasad appeared on the stage on the last night of the Bengal Classical Music Festival, the time was almost 3:40am. However, the night and the cold breeze didn’t stop the thousand audiences, gathered before the main stage, on the grass and in the food stalls.
He then brought the magic on the Army Stadium with his tune, welcoming the next morning. The festival ended with his performance, the time on the clock was then almost 5:05am. Although that was the last performance and the festival was almost at the end, the audiences refused to leave.
He then calmly welcomed the audiences by saying, “I can play the whole day.” His admiration and inspiration made the whole audience stand and salute. Finally Finance Minister Abul Mal Abdul Muhit had a chance to give this legend the festival souvenir. Thousands of nocturnal audiences returned home with satisfaction, still with a hint of the magical tune of flute.
Hariprasad Chaurasia is an eminent Indian flautist who is best known for popularizing Indian Classical Music all over the world. A living legend, he is counted among the greatest masters of the North Indian Bamboo flute. Acclaimed not just in his native country but also in the Western world, he has also worked as a music director for many films and was even featured in one of the English rock band, The Beatles’ singles.
Unlike many other musicians who hail from a musically inclined family, he came from a family with no interest in music whatsoever. The son of a wrestler, he was expected to follow in his father’s footsteps. But the young Hariprasad had other plans for himself. Rebelling against his father who did not want his son to become a musician, he started learning classical vocal technique.
However, he switched to flute after meeting a renowned flautist-a decision that would ultimately lead him to his true calling. His early life as a musician was full of struggles but once he gained a foothold in the world of Indian classical music, there was none stopping him. He has been honored with many prestigious awards including the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to the world of arts.
On the concluding day, Bengal Classical Music Festival gathered some of the big names of classical music arena. Besides Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma on Santoor, there were Kumar Mardur, Pundit Kushal Das, and Arati Ankalikar. There were vocal renditions by the students of the Music Department of Dhaka University, followed by a sitar recital by the students of Bengal Parampara Sangeetalaya.
But the main attraction remained the magical performance of Hariprasad Chaurasia. To witness his magic, even more people came at the end. Since the evening, the crowd was noticeable. The more the night grew, the more people came.
Started from November 24, thousands of people spent these five nights without sleep which was worth the fulltime. The festival will return next year.