Breath met strings and spontaneity met soul as sitar virtuoso Shujaat Husain Khan and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia transformed the Bharat Mandapam auditorium into an intimate mehfil for the finale of their Strings and Wind tour. Setting the tone with humour, Chaurasia greeted the audience, “How was the traffic, Delhi? Hum bhi ussi traffic mein phasey thay, lekin kuch keh nahi sakte – Dilli mera sasural hai.” The hall warmed instantly. “As I start playing, you can meditate, relax, do reiki, or even fall asleep,” said Rakesh Chaurasia before easing into the evening raga Madhuvanti. On cue, many in the audience closed their eyes; some swayed gently, others leaned forward, listening intently.
Rakesh Chaurasia
On Rakesh Chaurasia’s cue, many in the audience closed their eyes; some swayed gently, others leaned forward, listening intently
Delhi is a seasoned audience – you have to be careful about what you play here. But because our music is spontaneous, you can get carried away by a receptive crowd like we had today
Rakesh Chaurasia, two-time Grammy Award-winning flautist
Later, Shujaat Husain Khan took over the stage and said, “Jab aap log shanti se baithte hain, toh apni himmat banti hai ki aapko jitni shamta hai utna suna sakun.” Rakesh Chaurasia then joined the sitarist for an evocative jugalbandi, with Khan singing verses like Jo Nahi Mila Usse Bhool Jaa and Zindagi Se Badi Saza Hi Nahi, Amir Khusro’s Ae Ri Sakhi More Piya Ghar Aaye and bhajans like O Paalanhaare, intertwined with the sounds of the flute, sitar and tabla.
Shujaat Husain Khan wove in ragas like Maru Bihag, alongside Sufi compositions and bhajans
Curated by Perfect Harmony Productions and Cisne For Arts, the collaboration debuted in Bengaluru, travelled to Mumbai and Hyderabad, and concluded in Delhi. “One shouldn’t have to use words,” said Khan of the collaboration and camaraderie with Chaurasia and the other musicians on stage. “If you see the pleasure we derive from being on stage together, that is enough.”
Ojas Adhiya
Ritik Chaurasia
