Rakesh Chaurasia is an Indian flautist known for playing the bansuri, the Indian reed flute. He is the nephew of famous flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia. In 2023, he won two Grammy Awards at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
Wiki/Biography
Rakesh Chaurasia was born on Wednesday, January 13, 1971 (age 53 years; in 2024) in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Young photo of Rakesh Chaurasia playing the flute
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Wife & Children
His wife’s name is Nandani Chaurasia. The couple has two sons named Ritik Chaurasia and Pratik Chaurasia.
Rakesh Chaurasia with his wife and son
Other relatives
Rakesh Chaurasia is the nephew of renowned Indian music director and classical flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Rakesh Chaurasia with Hariprasad Chaurasia
Career
In 2001, he released an album titled ‘Parables of Passion – Farewell’ with tabla player Yogesh Samsi.
2001 album poster ‘Parables of Passion – Farewell’
He has released many music albums including ‘Mystic Soundscapes Wind’ (2007), ‘Call of the Divine’ (2013), ‘Finesse On Flute’ (2019), ‘ZaRa’ (2022). He has performed with artists such as renowned Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain at many musical events in India and many overseas countries including Japan, China, England, and Greece.
Rakesh Chaurasia performed with Zakir Hussain
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- 2007: Indian Music Academy Award
- 2008: Aditya Birla Kalakiran Purasakar
- 2013: IWAP-Pandir Jasraj Sangeet Ratna Award
- 2013: Pannala Ghosh Puraskar
- 2017: ‘Indian of the Year’ Award
- 2023: Best Global Music Performance Award for ‘Pashto’ at the 66th Grammy Awards
- 2023: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album Award for the album ‘As We Speak’ at the 66th Grammy Awards
Facts/Trivia
- In an interview, he said that if he wasn’t a gamer, he would be a driver because he likes to drive.
- He once expressed his desire to perform with American smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G.
- In November 2019, he participated in a 12.5 km marathon and won a medal.
Rakesh Chaurasia at the marathon event
- During an interview, while talking about his training schedule, he said,
I prefer to train in the morning because it’s quieter no cell phone, no phone calls. Without external distractions, practice becomes more focused. One can focus on every note, you can feel the vibrations, you know.
- He is a fitness enthusiast and is often seen working out at the gym.
Rakesh Chaurasia works out at the gym
- In an interview, he shared an unforgettable incident from one of his music concerts and said,
Every concert is memorable, at least we try to make it a memory (laughs) but I remember a concert in Nagpur where at the end, we didn’t have electricity, but I didn’t realize it because I was so engrossed in playing. It was surprising to see the newspapers splashing this fact the next day. I feel the times when you are so engrossed in the game that you forget everything that happened once in your life. Usually what happens is if the sound goes away, we stop, because there’s a big drop but I can’t notice there’s no sound, the audience has also kept the pin-drop silence so I’m having fun and the audience is enjoying it too.”
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Rakesh Chaurasia’s Facebook post about his non-vegetarian dishes
- He drinks alcohol occasionally.
Rakesh Chaurasia enjoying red wine with Zakir Hussain
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
