Kulkarni’s methodical exposition of Bhimpalasi is exceptional and haunting. He layers the alap, jod and jhala with intricate bends and finesse, concluding with Tilang which is packed with sweet microtonal nuances of the raga. In a short and sweet conversation, he also explains how the bamboo flute walked its path from folk music to Indian classical music due to the contributions of his Guru Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. Anuradha Pal is her versatile best as she accompanies him in this extract 55 min performance at the Purcell Room.

Rupak Kulkarni was initiated to the bamboo flute by his father at a very young age. When he was 11, he got accepted as a disciple of legendary Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia after which, he never looked back. Apart from an independent performing career in pure Indian classical and fusion music, Kulkarni holds an important position as a faculty of the Chinmaya University.

Anuradha Pal has broken all gender biases and has emerged as one of the finest musicians mastering an instrument which has been primarily male dominated. She is equally deft at presenting a solo in the pure Punjab gharana format as well as a musician who experiments with other forms and genres.

Rupak Kulkarni (flute)
Anuradha Pal (tabla)
Raag Bhimpalasi, Raag Tilang