THE LILTING TUNES OF THE FLUTE

Vivek Sonar, one of the finest younger generation flautists in the country and senior disciple of musical genius Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia shares his journey in music, and more with N. Kalyani

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Listening to a flute performance by Vivek Sonar, a long time disciple of the legendary flautist Padma Vibhushan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, is a mesmerising experience. One feels transported to realms beyond the earthly. The tunes of the music outlive the performance, permeating the heart and soul verily. The music the flute produces is as charming and awe-inspiring as the art and science in the creation of the flute is beautiful and fascinating.

Based in Mumbai, Sonar is also well-known for his Flusion band and the flute symphony. Being from a small town in the interiors of Maharashtra, Sonar was well aware of the challenges young and talented musicians faced in the country. To help such talent get trained and recognised, he set up Gurukul Prathisthan, a charitable trust for dedicated learners who are staying in Gurukul and taking guidance in the traditional Gurukul System of learning music. Today, Gurukul Prathisthan's music academy has over thousand students enrolled from India and abroad. Here, the composer flautist, who has had a two month-long concert tour in the USA and Canada this year, shares his journey in music, and more.

You were abroad for two months this year giving flute performances in the US and Canada. In general, how would you compare Indian and overseas audiences and their responses?