Instrumental virtuosos to perform in NZ
A unique instumentalist is coming to New Zealand to perform at next month’s Womad festival: Rajendra Prasanna is the only Indian musician who excels in playing two wind instruments in the classical tradition. He plays both the shehnai and the flute with equal dexeterity and finesse.
The Shehnai, an oboe-like instrument, has not been seen recently in New Zealand. It is a one of the oldest instruments and has a pride of place in Indian culture as one that is played during auspicious occasions. Its greatest modern exponent, the late Bismillah Khan, was awarded the same highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India), as India’s most well-known musician Ravi Shankar.
The Prasanna family hails from Varanasi and have been custodians of this instrument for five generations. Rajendra Prasanna was trained in the art of shehnai playing by his grandfather Gauri Shankar, and he was trained to play the flute by his father Pandit Raghunath Prasanna, who was the first to introduce the flute to the family. He ranks equally with Hari Prasad Chaurasia for his breathtaking artistry, but his style of playing resembles that of the great Panna Lal Ghosh as it is a ‘gayaki’ (singing) style.
Prasanna’s recitals are characterised by simplicity, playful vivacity and sweet melodiousness. He is the most sought-after musician. He performed at the “Bansuri (flute) Festival” organized by the Sangeet Natak Academy and Raag Rang in 1980, in which top artists from all gharanas performed. He was a special invitee at the 9th Asian Music Festival held in Hong Kong in 1984 and the ’88 Bulgarian Festival.
He was the first flautist and shehnai player who visited Pakistan after the partition for a music concert in 1986. He has participated in Maharishi Music Festival for World Peace organised by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in France, Holland, Lebanon and Cyprus in 1993.
He was invited to participate in the ITC World Music Festival held in America, Canada and Switzerland in 1997 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence. He also participated in the Golden Jubilee of the national Sangeet Natak Academy under Pt. Ravi Shankar in 2001.
The “Festival of India” held in Japan in 2006 was inaugurated with his shehnai recital.
He was the first shehnai and flute player honoured with the Uttar Pradesh “Sangeet Natak (Music & Dance) Academy Award” in 1995.
He has participated in the Grammy Award - winning music video organized by Pt. Ravi Shankar at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in 2002, in memory of the late George Harrison, for which he received a Grammy Award Certificate in 2004.
He will play the flute as well as the shehnai at all his concerts along with his sons.
Womad Festival is being held in Taranaki, NZ from 18 March
A unique instumentalist is coming to New Zealand to perform at next month’s Womad festival: Rajendra Prasanna is the only Indian musician who excels in playing two wind instruments in the classical tradition. He plays both the shehnai and the flute with equal dexeterity and finesse.
The Shehnai,...
A unique instumentalist is coming to New Zealand to perform at next month’s Womad festival: Rajendra Prasanna is the only Indian musician who excels in playing two wind instruments in the classical tradition. He plays both the shehnai and the flute with equal dexeterity and finesse.
The Shehnai, an oboe-like instrument, has not been seen recently in New Zealand. It is a one of the oldest instruments and has a pride of place in Indian culture as one that is played during auspicious occasions. Its greatest modern exponent, the late Bismillah Khan, was awarded the same highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India), as India’s most well-known musician Ravi Shankar.
The Prasanna family hails from Varanasi and have been custodians of this instrument for five generations. Rajendra Prasanna was trained in the art of shehnai playing by his grandfather Gauri Shankar, and he was trained to play the flute by his father Pandit Raghunath Prasanna, who was the first to introduce the flute to the family. He ranks equally with Hari Prasad Chaurasia for his breathtaking artistry, but his style of playing resembles that of the great Panna Lal Ghosh as it is a ‘gayaki’ (singing) style.
Prasanna’s recitals are characterised by simplicity, playful vivacity and sweet melodiousness. He is the most sought-after musician. He performed at the “Bansuri (flute) Festival” organized by the Sangeet Natak Academy and Raag Rang in 1980, in which top artists from all gharanas performed. He was a special invitee at the 9th Asian Music Festival held in Hong Kong in 1984 and the ’88 Bulgarian Festival.
He was the first flautist and shehnai player who visited Pakistan after the partition for a music concert in 1986. He has participated in Maharishi Music Festival for World Peace organised by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in France, Holland, Lebanon and Cyprus in 1993.
He was invited to participate in the ITC World Music Festival held in America, Canada and Switzerland in 1997 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence. He also participated in the Golden Jubilee of the national Sangeet Natak Academy under Pt. Ravi Shankar in 2001.
The “Festival of India” held in Japan in 2006 was inaugurated with his shehnai recital.
He was the first shehnai and flute player honoured with the Uttar Pradesh “Sangeet Natak (Music & Dance) Academy Award” in 1995.
He has participated in the Grammy Award - winning music video organized by Pt. Ravi Shankar at the Royal Albert Hall, London, in 2002, in memory of the late George Harrison, for which he received a Grammy Award Certificate in 2004.
He will play the flute as well as the shehnai at all his concerts along with his sons.
Womad Festival is being held in Taranaki, NZ from 18 March
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