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 , he 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.
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
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 athoroughly 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