It was a symphony with a difference. Between 80 to 90 flautists—across the age groups of eight to 85—mesmerised the audience at the sixth edition of Bansuri Utsav in Thane last month. And Vivek Sonar was a happy man. Since 2007, he has been promoting the Utsav to bring the instrument to the forefront. “The idea is to make the flute more accessible. At music festivals, flute players are just accompaniments. So, I thought of giving them all the attention they deserve,” says Sonar, a disciple of celebrated flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. “I have toured India and other countries, and seen many music festivals. But there is no festival that focuses on the flute.” No wonder, the initiative has been commended. “The Utsav has been blessed by senior artistes and stalwarts from the field of Hindustani classical music.”
While the sound of flute or bansuri may soothe our minds, but it is a difficult instrument to master. Therefore, “bringing together and tuning so many flutes is not easy,” says Sonar. “A single mistake can make the whole symphony go awry.” So with utmost precision, the artistes collaborate to offer the mellifluous experience. “There are different types and versions of the flute and each instrument produces a different sound. So, we are sure to give the audience something unique each year,” assures Sonar.
He disagrees with the perception that bansuri is a dying art form of the Hindustani classical music.”Classical music is timeless. It has the power to mesmerise people. It is the melody in the music that gives the soul to any composition,” he says.
Talking about the beginning, Sonar says, what started as a music academy in 2006, with just 35 artistes, has now grown into a strong team of about 90 flautists. Talented children are encouraged to take up music, thanks to a scholarship scheme of Sonar’s Gurukul Pratisthan. “They are provided with instruments of their choice and other financial aid. Those who wish to conduct research in the field of music are also encouraged by giving them necessary assistance,” says Sonar. So, the Utsav not only has the school’s flautists performing, but also other musicians—on the keyboard, saxophone, trumpet, drums, tabla, pakhawaj and guitar.
So what’s the school’s secret for success? Sonar believes his Gurukul’s structured regime will help children achieve their potential. “Workshops are conducted for three to seven days. These workshops help students learn various ways of riyaaz, introducing them to different techniques of flute playing. During the workshop, disciples get to stay with their guru and learn,” he reveals. Sonar hopes that the workshops will provide students with an environment where they are also exposed to other art forms, like painting, dance, vocal music and other instruments.
“The flute demands rigorous practice to gain mastery and it can only be achieved under the guidance of a guru,” says Sonar adding, “No one is greater than a guru. Our tradition focuses on the guru-shishya parampara and I have been blessed to have two gurus... Purushottam Antapurkar and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia.”