March 22, 2010, (Sampurn Wire):Pandit Hari Prasad's classical music school, Vrindavan Gurukul, was inaugurated by Amitabh Bachchan in Bhubaneshwar on Sunday. Also present at the event were Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patniak and Jaya Bachchan.
Based on ancient Indian gurukul ethos, the school will teach and help in the survival of classical performing arts, namely music and dance. Yoga and meditation will also feature as a part of the teachings, all carried out in soothing atmosphere.
Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia joined hands with Santoor exponent Shiv Kumar Sharma to launch this unique concept, aimed towards the betterment of classical music and performing arts. In this era, where classical music is struggling to find takers, both in terms of performers and listeners, this is a bold step.
Gracing the occasion of the formal opening, Amitabh Bachchan said, "The ancient Indian tradition of the guru and shishya (teacher and student) is a beautiful relationship and sadly there are a very few institutions which honour and continue it. The Vrindavan Gurukul is one of the few institutions which are designed around this tradition.
The Gurukul is Pandit Hari Prasad's dream project and music, from classical to folk and thumri will be taught here. On this, the flute maestro said, "The children will surrender themselves to the teachers who will adopt and will further nurture their talent."