Get set for a unique live concert of flautists and shehnai players this weekend

Flautist Paras Nath is all set for a unique musical journey this weekend. Belonging to a family of well-known classical musicians, Paras is trying to bring together flute and shehnai maestros under one roof. This endeavour is part of his tribute to his late grandfather Pandit Shiv Nath Prasad on his anniversary.Pt. Amar Nath (Bansuri Vadak), Shankar brothers (disciples of Pandit Ravi Shankar) Sanjeev Shankar (Shehnai Vadak), Ashwini Shankar (Shehnai Vadak) and Anand Shankar (Tabla Vadak), Pankaj Nath (Bansuri Vadak), Ajay Prasanna (Bansuri Vadak), Ashwin Srinivasan (Bansuri Vadak), Rupak Kulkarni (Bansuri Vadak), Debopriya Chatterjee (Bansuri Vadak), Paras Nath (Bansuri Vadak), Praveen Godkhindi (Bansuri Vadak) and Naveen Kumar (flautist) will all be a part of the live concert this weekend.Paras says, “My grandfather introduced the flute in the family for the first time, and also in the gharana, which otherwise is known for shehnai playing. I had an unique opportunity to learn the finer nuances of Indian classical music under the most able guidance of my guru, my grandfather Pandit Shiv Nath Prasad and my father Pt Amar Nath.”Apart from the concert, on the occasion of his grandfather’s anniversary, Paras wants to revive the rich legacy of woodwind instruments. He says, “Now, I want to take our legacy forward by sharing the knowledge of the divine instrument with people.” He adds, “I believe that the best way to remember Pandit Shiv Nath Prasad ji is by teaching music lovers all about the bansuri in order to revive his legacy. ‘Vaikunthvenu’ is my humble effort to create a channel and through it, preserve and promote the Banaras Gharana. It’s a humble tribute to generations of legendary shehnai players and flautists, who have left behind a treasure trove for us to learn. It will host many artistes from different spheres of Hindustani classical, folk, fusion and experimental music, and will also be the platform to teach all those who wish to learn to play the flute.”