G. S. Sachdev ...

Began playing the Bansuri when he was 14, and has created a rare form of instant communication with audiences through his music. Unlike many musicians, Sachdev has shied away from fusion, finding great pleasure and a sense of immense satisfaction with the rigors of infinite exploration within traditional pure classical Indian music. Beyond his worldwide live performances, Sachdev’s music is thoroughly enjoyed in yoga studios, meditation ashrams,
massage rooms, spiritual centers and homes everywhere imaginable. His music is considered an antidote to stress, fatigue and cynicism. Sachdev’s frequent world tours and recordings have won him many laurels and made him an
internationally renowned legend respected by musicians and audiences in all realms of world music today.

The Music

... Descended from a culture with a two thousand year musical tradition, Sachdev performs the classical music of India. The complexities lie in the subtle variations on the theme, ornamentation of notes, modal coloring, and in the interplay between flute and tabla. Since each note stands alone, special care is given to the purity of intonation. The basis of Indian classical music is raga - the melodic form, and tala - the time measure. Beyond the melodic form, each raga encompasses a particular mood and synthesis of emotion, which a skillful musician like Sachdev evokes. Indian classical music is rooted in the vocal tradition, and the flute is regarded especially close to the voice, capable
of many subtle nuances of the vocal style.

Bansuri (Bans: bamboo - Swar: musical note)
... One of the oldest instruments in existence, the Bansuri is a bass flute made of bamboo with 7 open finger holes. It is a keyless wind instrument pitched about an octave below the European Classical flute, and is more resonant and flexible in tonal quality. It has no keys to produce sharps and flats. The half and qaurter notes are produced by precisely opening a portion of the hole with the finger.
The Bansuri is capable of infinite pitch nuances, producing a seductive vocal beauty, cajoling to the listener.

“We are fortunate to have such a fine musician as GS Sachdev in our presence”
- George Harrison

“I admire his ability to touch the spirit of the raga he performs and also to move the listeners emotionally with his pure and classical approach”
- Ravi Shankar

“... haunting performance ... the sound of his flute rings with an indescribable purity”
- New York Times

“Sachdev¹s playing is the most sensitive I have ever heard. The metal flute is just not capable of the subtleties and nuances produced by the Bamboo flute. It is truly transcendental music”
- Paul Horn

“Sachdev¹s natural simplicity and crystal clarity transcends all boundaries of technique and form. He caresses your mind with the sweet voice of his flute, leading youinto worlds of ultimate pleasure, beauty and peace”
- Alternatives Magazine

Recordings on CD Available at bansuri.net (click here to order)

SPIRIT
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Bihag, Kalavati, Chandrakauns
Sachdev's playing is remarkable for its directness and simplicity,
capturing the essential spirit of classical music here in performances
of three contrasting ragas CD

LIVE IN CONCERT
Swapan Chaudhuri, tabla
Madhu Kauns, Dhun (based on Mishra Shiv Ranjani), Rageshri
In this recording, Sachdev is in his element perfoming live for a
thoroughly enraptured audience CD

FLIGHTS OF IMPROVISATION
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Ahir Bhairov, Shudha Sarang, Abhogi
Ragas from early morning to night. Moods range from exuberant,
devotional to serene. 1992 Billboard Critics Choice Top Ten CD

FULL MOON
G S Sachdev, solo
Introspection/Rageshwari, Full Moon/Chandrakauns, Evening Prayer/Kalyan
Ragas of deepening night, played with passionate detachment by
Sachdev. Solo bamboo flute - improvised freedom within form,
the voice of everything that flows CD/Cass

MASTER OF THE BAMBOO FLUTE, VOL 2
Zakir Hussain, tabla
A celebration of Spring with early morning Raga Hindole, and late
night raga Bageshri.
Graceful, deep and serious CD/ Cass

BANSURI (Solo) G S Sachdev, solo
Bhoop, Des, Kalavati , Hindole
Though the music has its moments of great excitement, the most
powerful aspect is its ability to put the listener in a relaxed mood
and a calm state of mind CD

CLASSICAL NORTH INDIAN RAGAS
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Patdeep - The mood is of longing and the pangs of separation
Dhun - A light classical form based on folk music of India CD/Cass

TWO MOODS
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Kaushik Dhwani, Purya Kalyan Life is balance -
passive as well as energetic. This recording is a unique example of
both the dynamic and the peaceful qualities of music CD/Cass

ROMANTIC RAGAS
Jnan Ghosh, tabla
Des, Kajri, Madhu Vanti
Represents the aesthetic and spirtual as well as the physical flavors
of love. Sachdev adorns and embellishes the notes, creating
a stream of romantic impressions CD/Cass

LIVE IN NEW YORK
K Paramjyoti, tabla
Raga Maru Vihag - Live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The sound of the flute echoes through the cathedral ... Sachdev
takes full advantage to materialize new phrases out of the echoes
of old ones. Truly Peaceful and meditative CD/Cass

LYRICAL GRACE
Jitendra Thakur, tabla
Jaijaivanti, Hamsadhwani Performing always with sage-like
address, Sachdev's flute pierces the noisy events of the world
reclaiming for its lost sense of simplicity & truth CD/Cass

AMAR SANGIT
Swapan Chaudhrui, tabla
This recording displays Sachdev's devotion to the subtleties of
the bansuri, and to the spiritual roots of indian music CD

JASMINE NIGHTS
Swapan Chaudhuri, tabla
Amrit, Jog Sachdev with his superb technicial
artistry makes one feel the Jasmine scented evening of summer
in the North Indian plains CD

INCANTATIONS
Manik Rao Popatkar, tabla, Jnan Ghosh, tabla
Ragas Amrit Varshini, Jaijaivanti, Kaushik Dhwani
Each raga uses a precise melodic pattern, concentrating on a single
mood or emotion. They are incantations, invitation to meditate,
evoking in us a feeling of eternity CD

Recent Releases

ARADHANA - Double CD
Jnan Ghosh, tabla
Purya Kalyan, Des, Patdeep
As Sachdev plays the flute the notes become stronger as thunder compliments
lightening ... Jnan Ghosh's tabla performance is the perfect companion. This 2-
CD Full Concert release, recorded at St. John’s in Berkeley in 1982, is dedicated
to the memory of Tabla Legend Gnan Ghosh
Double CD

GREETING OF THE DAWN
G S Sachdev, Solo Bansuri
- Morning Meditations
The ragas played with quiet expression, Sachdev's first breath brings life to the
bansuri. A sweetly serene mood is created in four 15-minute tracks - a 1 hour
relaxation session, perfect for yoga, massage, or simple stress relief CD

THINKING TABLA By K. Paramjyoti
A Key to Transposing Compositions into Tals
This CD brings forth the knowledge and insight of a Master percussionist in a
manner that is instructive and thoroughly enjoyable. Included with CD is a 20
page instructional booklet CD

LP Record & Cassette Archives
*GOLDEN SUN Swapan Chaudhuri, tabla
*MASTER OF THE BAMBOO FLUTE Zakir Hussain, tabla
*Cassette Only

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