In the classic 1963 film, “Buffalo Boy and the Flute,” a young boy tends to a water buffalo while serenading it with his flute. Within this animated masterpiece, a poignant sequence unfolds, where the boy envisions himself lost in a windswept bamboo grove, crafting a flute from a hollow stalk.
Produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio, this short film employs the traditional medium of Chinese water-ink painting to paint a serene rural tableau. Yet, it is the mellifluous notes of flutist Lu Chunling that linger in our memories, infusing this simple and heartwarming tale with an ethereal charm.
The flute, a timeless instrument, has deep roots in the tapestry of global folklore. Flutes, along with drums, likely stand as some of the earliest musical creations by humanity. Over epochs, they have become woven into myths and legends, their gentle, hollow tones embodying the voices of deities.
In India, for instance, Lord Krishna, a prominent mythical figure, is invariably depicted with his cherished flute. Parallel stories resonate across ancient China, Egypt, Greek mythology, and the annals of European lore.
Throughout its rich history, the ubiquitous flute has undergone a transformative journey. While it attained prominence during the Baroque era, it reached its zenith during the Romantic period, becoming the instrument of choice for lovers to convey their tender sentiments. English flute makers introduced refinements, adding keys to finger holes, and by the late 17th and early 18th centuries, virtuosos were enchanting audiences with the baroque flute, a precursor to the modern instrument. Its eventual integration into concert repertoires was a natural progression.
In Chinese culture, the woodwind instrument carries profound cultural symbolism, often associated with the concept of harmony. Within the realm of traditional Chinese music, the dizi, a bamboo flute, enjoys significant popularity. Archaeological evidence suggests the existence of rudimentary transverse flutes in China dating back over 9,000 years.
China boasts an array of transverse flutes, including end-blown flutes, fipple flutes, and free-reed flutes, each contributing to its rich musical tapestry.
Against this backdrop of flute heritage, an enthralling evening awaits as two of India’s eminent flutists, Pandit Rupak Kulkarni and Pandit Rakesh Chaurasia, take the stage at the Theater YOUNG in Yangpu District. This performance forms a part of the Chaiti Arts Festival, where the two virtuosos, renowned for their mastery of the bansuri, a side-blown bamboo flute, aim to captivate the local audience with a diverse repertoire of Indian classical music, including the eagerly anticipated “jugalbandi.”
The term “jugalbandi” signifies a musical performance characterized by a duet or a lighthearted competition, featuring two primary performers, whether vocalists or instrumentalists, engaging in spontaneous improvisation.
In this instance, both artists are flutists, setting the stage for a captivating musical duel.
“Music is something you can feel. Everybody can enjoy music. It has no religion, no caste,” remarked Chaurasia in a heartfelt video message. “The appreciation at the end of the concert is the only language we understand.”
Kulkarni espouses the belief that music serves as a language in itself. “It transcends boundaries, connecting with people and cultures across the world. Music is one of humanity’s greatest gifts,” he declared, dispelling concerns that Indian classical music might pose a challenge for the Chinese audience.
Chaurasia envisions the evening’s performance as a collaborative endeavor shaped by the audience’s energy. “It’s all about presentation. A young musician can sense the audience’s expectations and adapt. I’ve seen my mentor make spontaneous decisions in the green room that diverge from the planned stage performance. We, musicians, are also performers.”
The flute stands as a remarkably adaptable instrument, capable of traversing an extensive spectrum of musical genres and evoking a myriad of emotions.
Kulkarni elucidates that Indian classical music draws inspiration from the natural world. “We possess numerous ragas, each a melodic framework. We improvise based on these ragas, with the extent of our exploration left to the artist. Yet, at its core, our music resonates with nature.”
Chaurasia concurs, asserting that “our ragas are profoundly meditative. They defy precise definition but can be felt. For every mood and season, there exists a raga… much like jazz, they possess chords but are predominantly improvised. This mirrors the essence of Indian classical music, where playing a raga for five minutes or five hours remains an act of improvisation at its finest.”
Accompanying the flutists on stage will be percussionists Rishabh Dhar and Arkodeep Das. Dhar will enchant the audience with the pakhawaj, an Indian double-headed drum. His ensemble, “FINGERPRINTS,” is renowned for its innovative fusion of musical genres, blending the Indian tabla with African rhythms and Latino vibes, capturing hearts worldwide.
Joining Dhar is the emerging tabla prodigy, Arkodeep Das.
Chaiti Arts Festival aims to envelop the stage in Gond art, an indigenous artistic form originating from the Gond tribes of central India, creating a thematic atmosphere rooted in folk art.
The enchanting evening promises to be a celebration of the flute’s enduring charm. The gentle melodies of this humble instrument are what audiences can anticipate carrying with them long after the performance concludes.
