Padma Vibhusan Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is one of the most revered figures in Indian classical music and a globally celebrated maestro of the Indian flute in the Hindustani tradition. He underwent rigorous training for eight years under the guidance of Pandit Bholanath Prasanna of Varanasi in playing the flute. In 1957, Pandit Chaurasia joined All India Radio in Cuttack, Odisha, where he worked as a composer and performer, refining his musical identity. During his tenure at All India Radio, he also received invaluable guidance from the legendary Maa Annapurna Devi, daughter of Baba Allaudin Khan, which deeply shaped his artistic and spiritual approach to music. His outstanding contribution to Indian music has been recognised with numerous honours, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2000.

While in conversation with the MAV Team, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia shared that he connects his spiritual practice through music with the Divine, believing that where there is a true note (swara), there resides God. He expressed that through such purity of the sur (note) that one can experience the presence of Divine music. He also shared valuable insights from his revered Guru Maa Annapurna Devi while conversing.