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Round 4 (2002-2003) Award Recipients Apprenticeship Guidelines and Application Other Apprenticeship Rounds More Information Radha Prasad: |
Indian Classical & Folk Bamboo Flute
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| Pt. Radha Prasad |
The Indian bamboo flute is a popular traditional wind instrument that has mythological associations with Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, one of the principal Hindu deities. Deceptively simple to the eye, when played by a master with skill and artistry, the flute emits music that is intriguing, magical, and beautiful. Master artist Radha Prasad was born and raised in Northern India, where he first taught himself to play the flute. He completed 18 years of rigorous and comprehensive training under Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, one of India’s renowned flutists, and since has toured the USA and Europe giving performances and teaching. His apprentice Priyank Desai also began his musical training as a flute player while in India. As an advanced student he will expand his repertoire with various folk melodies and with different ragas, which are modal forms and themes that are the foundation of Indian classical music and provide the framework for improvisation.
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Pt. Radha Prasad (left) and Priyank Desai (right) performing at Coburn Art Theatre in Los Angeles for Durfee Foundation Music Festival (July 2002) |
 Even though the bansuri or bamboo flute is a very popular instrument in India, it is difficult to obtain good examples that are well made and accurately tuned. With his fine ear and perfect pitch, Pt. Radha Prasad has taught himself how to make and tune his own instruments. During a single concert, he may use any number of flutes, each tuned to a different scale, depending on the various ragas that are the basis of the performance. Pt. Radha Prasad has as many as twelve flutes, each a different length and diameter and tuned to a different scale. |
 Pt. Radha Prasad and his student Priyank Desai spend weekends studying and practicing together. Pt. Radha Prasad notes, “In Indian classical music there is no notation in front of you. You have to play by your concept. That concept will come at the same moment you play. [It’s] spontaneous.” However, to get to that point of being able to create and improvise, the student must have a deep understanding of the music and be a very dedicated musician. Of his sessions with his guruji (teacher) Priyank says, “There are many different aspects. One is learning the raga. Then the other is you should be able to pick up what he is playing. Initially, what the guruji will do is make us write exactly what we are supposed to play…. As you learn, you reach a stage when you can just follow him. So whatever he plays, you can actually decipher the notes…. And then you can just follow him…. The main thing that you learn is how to be more creative so that you can improvise more and not repeat the same thing that you are playing.” |
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One of the most popular Hindu deities is Lord Krishna, who himself was a flute player. According to tradition Lord Krishna, out of boredom while herding cows in the jungle, made a flute from bamboo. The music of his flute is said to have charmed the milkmaids of North India. Priyank Desai (left) and Pt. Radha Prasad (right) pose before Lord Krishna depicted as a flute player. |
Learn more about Priyank Desai