| Who is it? | Indian Classical Flautist |
| Birth Place | Allahabad, Indian |
| Birth Sign | Leo |
| Genres | Hindustani classical music, film score |
| Occupation(s) | Flutist, composer |
| Instruments | Bansuri |
| Years active | 1957- |
| Associated acts | Shivkumar Sharma, Brij Bhushan Kabra, Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek |
| Website | hariprasadchaurasia.com |
Hariprasad Chaurasia, a renowned Indian classical flautist, is reported to have an estimated net worth of $3 million by 2024. Chaurasia has garnered fame and success through his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. With a career spanning several decades, he has become a prominent figure in the Indian music industry, mesmerizing audiences with his soulful flute-playing skills. Chaurasia's contributions to Indian classical music have earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. His net worth reflects both his artistic prowess and his ability to captivate audiences worldwide.
I was not any good at wrestling. I went there only to please my father. But maybe because of the strength and stamina I built up then, I'm able to play the bansuri even to this day.
— Hariprasad Chaurasia
Chaurasia started learning vocal music from his neighbour, Rajaram, at the age of 15. Later, he switched to playing the flute under the tutelage of Bholanath Prasanna of Varanasi for eight years. He joined the All India Radio, Cuttack, Odisha in 1957 and worked as a Composer and performer. Much later, while working for All India Radio, he received guidance from the reclusive Annapurna Devi, daughter of Baba Allaudin Khan. She only agreed to teach him if he was willing to unlearn all that he had learnt until then . Another version is that she only agreed to teach him after he (of his own) took the decision to switch from right-handed to left-handed playing to show her his commitment. In any case Chaurasia plays left-handed to this day.
He has collaborated with several western Musicians, including John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, and Ken Lauber, and has composed music for Indian films. Chaurasia also played on The Beatles' 1968 B-side "The Inner Light", which was written by George Harrison.
He serves as the artistic Director of the World Music Department at the Rotterdam Music Conservatory in the Netherlands. He was also the founder of the Vrindavan Gurukul in Mumbai (opened 2006) and Vrindavan Gurukul in Bhubaneshwar (opened 2010). Both of these institutes are schools dedicated to training students in bansuri in the Guru-shishya tradition.
The 2013 documentary film Bansuri Guru features the life and legacy of Chaurasia and was directed by the musician's son Rajeev Chaurasia and produced by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
