About
Rakesh Chaurasia, born 10 January 1971, is one of India's foremost bansuri players and the nephew and most accomplished disciple of the legendary Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. Following the Maihar gharana tradition, he combines a deep classical grounding with a fearless openness to collaboration, and is regarded as one of the most influential flautists of his generation.
Chaurasia has toured and recorded with Zakir Hussain, Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer, and won two Grammy Awards in 2024 for the collaborative album As We Speak, for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and, for the track Pashto, Best Global Music Performance. He leads the fusion ensemble Rakesh and Friends, performs solo classical recitals worldwide, and is a frequent presence at SPIC MACAY concerts.
The artistry
Chaurasia plays the bansuri with a rare balance of strength and serenity, a dextrous blowing technique and command of swar and tala inherited from his guru. He sustains extended unaccompanied classical explorations and moves fluently into jazz, bluegrass and world-music collaboration.
Chaurasia offers a host both a deeply traditional bansuri recital and Grammy-calibre cross-cultural collaboration. His name carries global recognition, making him a strong festival and concert-hall booking. [Atlas Assessment]
The leading bansuri exponent of his generation, extending the Chaurasia legacy into global classical and fusion music.