The Bamboo Virtuoso: A conversation with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia

There are flautists. And then there’s Rakesh Chaurasia - the globally acclaimed Indian classical musician whose artistry on the bansuri, the traditional bamboo flute, has earned him stages, standing ovations, and two Grammy Awards, including the 2024 Best global music performance for the song Pashto and Best contemporary instrumental album for ‘As We speak’ with Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer and the late Ustad Zakir Hussain.

The nephew and musical heir of the legendary Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Rakesh has carved a formidable legacy of his own - one marked by technical brilliance, deep emotional expression, and an open-hearted embrace of collaboration. From Indian ragas to global jazz, and now symphonic arrangements, his music defies genre while staying rooted in tradition.

As he prepares for the world premiere of Symphony of Bansuri with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) this August, we sat down with Rakesh to explore lineage, innovation, and what it means to find your own voice through breath.

Q: Rakesh, you’re returning to South Africa with something extraordinary - the world premiere of Symphony of Bansuri. What makes this concert so meaningful to you?

Rakesh Chaurasia: This is a very special project. The bansuri has always been a solo instrument in Indian classical music. To now present it in dialogue with a full Western orchestra… it’s like giving it a new dimension, a new space to breathe in. And to do this in South Africa - a country with such a deep musical soul and that I have visited several times before - feels very right.

Q: Your musical lineage is remarkable. What was it like growing up in the shadow and tutelage of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia?

RC: In one word: humbling. I was lucky to have music in the air at home. But it wasn’t easy. There was discipline, high expectation, and a deep respect for the tradition. My uncle didn’t just teach me notes - he taught me how to listen, how to feel. Over time, I had to find my own tone, my own style. That’s the journey of every artist - to honour where you come from, but to speak in your own voice.

Q: You’ve collaborated across borders and genres - from classical to world music and fusion. How do you stay grounded in your classical roots while embracing new forms?

RC: It’s about intention. If the collaboration is rooted in sincerity, mutual respect, and love for the music - it works. I don’t fuse styles just for the sake of it. I try to let the bansuri speak in all these different languages while keeping its soul intact. Music has no passport - only emotion.

Q: What excites you about performing with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra?

RC: Oh, everything! The lush textures, the expansive sound… and most importantly, the chance to introduce the bansuri to new ears in a new setting. There’s something magical when traditions meet without ego - just curiosity and heart.

Q: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?

RC: I hope they close their eyes and feel something true - peace, joy, maybe even a memory. The bansuri is an ancient instrument, made of bamboo, breath, and silence. It doesn’t shout - it whispers. But if you listen, it can carry you somewhere beautiful. 

Q: You’ve reached incredible heights. What still inspires you to keep playing, practising, evolving?

RC: The music itself. It’s endless. Every note still humbles me. And every time I pick up the flute, I remind myself: I am just a channel. The music flows through me - not from me. 

Symphony of Bansuri, featuring Rakesh Chaurasia and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, premieres at the Artscape Opera House on 2 August 2025. Presented by Inner Circle Entertainment, it’s a rare opportunity to witness a master at the height of his creative power.

Tickets via Ticketmaster and the Artscape Box Office from R200 – R1000.

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