Saurabh Vartak Interview
Saurabh Vartak on the life-changing performance that led him to the bansuri, learning under Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, and keeping Indian classical music alive for new audiences.
Q. For those discovering your work for the first time, could you tell us a little about your journey into the world of the flute?
My musical journey began with the harmonium, which I studied for over 13 years. Those years gave me a strong foundation in Indian classical music and shaped my understanding of raga presentation and tal.
The turning point came when I witnessed a live performance by the flute legend and my Guru, Padma Vibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia Ji, at the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav in 2007. I was completely spellbound by his heavenly flute, and that unforgettable experience inspired me to switch to the bansuri.
A few years later after 2007, I had the immense privilege of becoming his disciple and began my formal training under his guidance.
A decade later, in 2017, it was an incredible privilege to return to the same festival and share the stage with the flute legend who had inspired me to dedicate my life to the instrument. Looking back, it truly feels like a full-circle moment.
Q. Being a disciple of Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia is a remarkable honour. What is the most valuable lesson you've learned from your guru beyond music?
Beyond music, Guruji has taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons. The biggest one is to always remain humble and grounded, no matter how much you achieve. Despite being one of the greatest musicians in the world, his simplicity and positive outlook are truly inspiring.Another lesson I’ve learned from him is to never treat music as a race or a competition. Instead of comparing yourself with others, your only focus should be on sincere Riyaaz, continuous improvement, and enjoying the journey of learning.
Perhaps the most profound lesson is his belief that we should always remain students of music. Guruji often says that music is so vast that even seven lifetimes are not enough to know it completely. That thought has stayed with me it reminds me to approach music with curiosity, humility, and the mindset of a lifelong learner.
Q. The flute is often described as one of the most soulful instruments. What emotions do you hope listeners experience when they hear you perform?
The bansuri has a very unique quality. Since it is one of the instruments closest to the human voice, it has a uniquely expressive quality. Another aspect I love about it is that it is a 100% acoustic instrument. Every note is produced naturally, without any electronic processing, allowing listeners to experience the pure, organic sound of the flute in its most authentic form.
Whenever I perform, I hope listeners experience a sense of peace, calmness, and meditation. Even if it’s just for the duration of the concert, I want them to disconnect from the noise and stress of everyday life and immerse themselves completely in the music. Whether it’s joy, devotion, longing, or tranquility, my aim is that every listener connects with the music in their own personal way and leaves the performance feeling emotionally enriched.
Q. Indian classical music requires years of patience and discipline. How has this journey shaped you as a person?
Absolutely. Indian classical music demands immense patience, discipline, and perseverance.
One of the biggest lessons this journey has taught me is that the only real shortcut in classical music is Riyaaz, Riyaaz, and more Riyaaz. There is simply no way to fast-forward the process. Growth in music is very much like planting a seed. Even if you water the seed ten times a day, it won’t grow into a tree any faster in fact, you may end up harming it. Similarly, no amount of impatience can produce instant results in Indian classical music. Every stage of learning has its own natural pace.
I’ve often heard great maestros say that it takes nearly forty years to truly become good at this art. Looking at my own journey, I’ve been learning music for over twenty-five years, beginning long before I considered it my profession. Yet, I still feel like a student with so much more to learn and refine. That realization keeps me humble, motivated, and excited to continue this lifelong journey of learning.
Q. As a performer, how do you balance preserving tradition while connecting with today's audiences?
For me, preserving tradition has always been the highest priority. Whenever I perform Indian classical music, I strive to present each raga in its purest form, with sincerity and respect for the tradition, rather than relying on gimmicks or anything that distracts from the music itself. I always remember something Guruji once told us: “A performance should never look like a comedy show or a monkey’s dance.” That simple sentence has stayed with me throughout my journey and reminds me that the music should always remain the focus.At the same time, I also believe that every artist should find meaningful ways to connect with today’s audiences. Although my foundation has always been Indian classical music, over the last couple of years I’ve started exploring Bollywood music and now perform dedicated Bollywood flute concerts as well.
I see these as two different musical journeys rather than two opposing worlds. Those who wish to experience the depth of Hindustani classical music can attend my classical concerts, while Bollywood concerts introduce the beauty of the bansuri to a much wider and younger audience. If even a few listeners discover and develop an interest in Indian classical music through those performances, I feel I’ve contributed in a meaningful way to keeping the tradition alive.
Q. What inspired you to establish Saurabh's Flute Academy, and what kind of learning environment do you strive to create for your students?
The idea behind Saurabh’s Flute Academy came from my own experiences as a student. When I decided to switch from the harmonium to the bansuri, I faced many challenges because Pune didn’t have a dedicated institution offering authentic training in Hindustani classical flute. Finding the right guidance wasn’t easy, and that journey made me realize how important it is for aspiring students to have access to proper mentorship.
Apart from my formal training sessions, I was fortunate to spend time with Guruji during our travels and informal conversations. On one such occasion, he shared a lesson that has stayed with me ever since. He said, “Never ignore a student who genuinely wants to learn this beautiful instrument. Never say no to teaching. Whatever you have learnt should be passed on, because every one of us has a responsibility to help grow the flute family for the generations to come.”
Those words became the foundation of Saurabh’s Flute Academy. My aim is to create a learning environment where students feel encouraged, inspired, and never intimidated. I emphasize strong fundamentals, patience, discipline, and the joy of learning, while ensuring that every student receives authentic guidance. More than producing good flautists, I hope to nurture lifelong lovers of music who will carry this tradition forward.
Q. Has there been a performance or concert that completely changed the way you look at music? What made it so memorable?
Without a doubt, it was Guruji’s performance at the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav in 2007.
Until that evening, I looked at music as something I deeply enjoyed an extracurricular activity alongside my studies. I was in the 11th grade at the time, and my path seemed set towards engineering, which I eventually pursued in Electronics and Telecommunication.
But that one concert completely transformed the way I looked at music. I was spellbound by Guruji’s performance, and for the first time, I began to dream of becoming a professional musician. What once seemed like an impossible dream slowly became my life’s purpose.
Today, despite being an engineer by qualification, I feel fortunate to have built a full-time career doing what I truly love. Looking back, that evening in 2007 wasn’t just a memorable concert it was the moment that gave my life a completely new direction.
Q. Looking ahead, what dreams or projects are you most excited to bring to life in the coming years?
As a student of Indian classical music, my biggest dream is actually quite simple to become a better musician every single day. I want to keep enriching myself musically, deepen my understanding of our ragas, preserve their purity, and continue refining my performance as a classical artist. I truly believe that learning in music never ends.
At the same time, I’m excited to explore new avenues while staying rooted in classical music. Over the last couple of years, I’ve begun performing dedicated Bollywood flute concerts, and I’m enjoying the challenge of expanding my musical horizons and connecting with a wider audience, while staying true to my classical foundation.
I’m also passionate about meaningful cross-cultural collaborations. Recently, I had the opportunity to collaborate with German musicians on a fusion album that blends Indian classical music with traditional Bavarian folk music, which has been released on Spotify. We already have another collaboration in the pipeline, and I’m looking forward to creating more such projects that bring together different musical traditions while staying true to the essence of Indian classical music.
Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to Indian classical music as a performer, a teacher, and a lifelong student while helping the bansuri reach newer audiences across the world.
Bio:
Saurabh Vartak developed a fascination for Indian classical music at the tender age of 8. He learnt harmonium for 12 years under the guidance of Shri Madhav Marne, the senior most disciple of harmonium maestro, Pandit Appa Saheb Jagaonkar. In the year 2007, he attended a live performance of the legendary Flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia at ‘The Sawai Gandharva Music Festival’. Spellbound by the magic of Panditji’s mellifluous performance, he took his musical journey ahead on the melodious path of Flute. After completing his graduation in Electronics & Telecommunication with flying colours, he started learning flute from the flute legend Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia. Saurabh has got the privilege to perform with Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia in numerous concerts including the prestigious Sawai Gandharva Music Festival.
Interviewed By: Vanshika Gupta
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