Flute is stated to the most challenging wind instrument and over the years, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is arguably the doyen of artistes, with fans and enthusiasts all over the world.
He will be gratified that his prodigy and nephew Rakesh is firmly on his footsteps and has earned for himself an undeniable place in the world of music, particularly in the galaxy of flutists.
He will be in New Zealand in March to perform at three concerts, one each at Whangarei, Auckland and Hamilton.
Auckland based Sargam School of Music is organising his performances along with Travel Point, in aid of Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust, which is constructing a Temple for Lord Rama in West Auckland.
Wide repertoire
Rakesh Chaurasia’s performance as a flutist has matched note and rhythm with wind instruments of other cultures, in addition to Jugalbandi (competition) with Carnatic, Hindustani and instrumentalists.
Mr Chaurasia’s forte is in blending his flute without losing its identity in concerts where mixed instruments are played. A globetrotter, he has enthralled audiences at classical and non-classical concerts at almost all major centres of the world.
His accomplishments include citations and awards and a number of albums.
Following are the details of the forthcoming concerts.
Whangarei: The Concert will be held on Friday, March 7 at 7 pm at the Whangarei Intermediate School, located at 32 Rust Avenue. Tickets, priced at $15 are available at The Himalayan Trading Establishment, The Whangarei Migrant Centre and Wards Media Works. Further details can be obtained from Dr Vijay or Indira Harypursat on (09) 4355374 or 021-1827367.
Auckland: Basant Madhur, Director & Principal of Sargam School of Music is hoping to have capacity audience as Mr Chaurasia performs in Auckland on Saturday, March 8 at 630 pm at Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School.
Tickets, priced at $50 (VIP) $40 and $25, can be obtained from Yogi Ji Food Mart, Mt Roskill and Lotus Foreign Exchange, Westfield St Lukes & New Lynn. Further details can be obtained from Basant Madhur on (09) 6262646 or 021-0357954; Deepak Madhur on (09) 8274151 or 021-02643739.
Hamilton: The Hamilton concert will be held on Sunday, March 9 at 630 pm at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Gate 2B, Knighton Road, University of Waikato. Tickets, priced at $30 and $20 are available at Village Organics and Yogi Ji Food Mart.
Further details can be obtained from Lester Silver on (07) 8545532 or 021-2591526; Todd Nachowitz on (09) 8562866 or 0274-327590; Malathi Vasudevan on (09) 8562652 or 021-942699.
“We hope to donate a handsome amount out of the proceeds of the Rakesh Chaurasia flute recitals in Whangarei, Auckland and Hamilton. This is a part of our efforts to support community projects,” Mr Madhur said.
The Temple Project
Construction of the Sri Ram Mandir (on a 2366 Square Meters plot at 11 Brick Street, Henderson, West Auckland) began following the Foundation Ceremony (Bhoomi Pooja) held on July 21, 2012.
Estimated to cost $5 million, the Temple Complex will comprise the sanctum sanctorum, community hall with audio-visual facilities, rooms to perform religious rites and priest’s quarters.
Donations can be made by cheque favouring ‘Shri Ram Mandir Charitable Trust,’ or deposited into the account (Number 12-3232-0285221-00) of the Trust at any branch of ASB Bank. Donations of $5 and above are exempt from Income Tax.
Further information about Rakesh Chaurasia and other details of his concerts in New Zealand will appear in our ensuing issues.
