This two-day music festival celebrates flute and its greatest masters in Thane

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia with Vivek Sonar in performance

There is magic in the sound of the flute. In India, the instrument has long been associated with spirituality and calmness. Vivek Sonar, a flautist and organiser of the Bansuri Utsav, calls it the sound of the soul. The festival, taking place in Thane on January 21 and 22, will celebrate this very essence.

In its 14th edition, Sonar remarks that the festival celebrates the flute as a key element of Indian classical - Hindustani and Carnatic - music. "This is a mission to take the magic of the flute to as many people as we can," he says.

Flute symphony from 2022

Organised by the Gurukul Pratishthan, the event has reached out to the greatest exponent of the art for the inaugural day - Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. Describing his love for the instrument, the Padma Vibhushan-awardee says, "The bamboo-made bansuri is the most difficult instrument in Indian classical music because there are no strings or keys, only the bamboo." But its simplicity also makes it the most natural accompaniment to folk and classical music in equal measure, he adds.

But what drew him to the flute in particular, we ask. The maestro says mystically, "I think this instrument is made for me. It is like a prayer for me. That's why my students and I love it as much."

To be held over two days, the festival will also see the felicitation of another Indian classical legend, Dr Prabha Atre.

Another Padma Vibhushan-awardee, the vocalist celebrated her 90th birthday in September 2022. It is in her honour that Sonar's flute symphony conducted with a team of 90 flautists will be performed, following a felicitation ceremony. "The symphony is a Western orchestration concept. It brings together the piano, drums, timpani and trumpets in an orchestra. Except, in my symphony, the flute is the centre of the piece," Sonar explains. While there will be other instruments such as a piano, or occasional saxophone, they are used to support the hero - the flute.

In addition to students, the occasion will also see names such as Dr Rajendra Prasanna and Shashank Subramaniam take the stage.

For Sonar, the festival is also an opportunity to break the perception of gender barriers with the instrument. While it has often been the domain of male musicians, he insists the times are changing. The orchestra of flautists will also include women and children as young as nine. With donor cards available at the venue, the proceeds will be used to support and further the education of flautists in the city.

Sonar concludes by saying, "After all, no form of Indian classical music would be complete without the flute. We only hope to turn this night into a musical movement."

On January 21, 8 pm onwards; January 22, 10.30 am onwards
AT Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan, near Talao Pali, Thane West.
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Cost Rs 300 onwards (donor cards available at venue and online)