Ronu Majumdar-the master flautist

Click on the pic to view slideshow “One has to feel music. It is something that should move you from within. It is an art and one should follow it not for money or fame, but for the love of it,” said master flautist Ronu Majumdar who graced the office of Tellychakkar.com coming in as a guest editor. Wearing a blue kurta and a humble attitude, Ronu da (as we all lovingly called him), enraptured us with the soulful numbers he played on his flute. Tellychakkar.com just could not stop clapping and praising the master. He also went on to share many interesting anecdotes from his life. “Kakaji (Rajesh Khanna) passed away recently. What a wonderful soul he was. I have played for his movies. I remember he used to come and sit at the studios with Pancham da (R D Burman). He used to completely get engrossed and involved with the songs of his movies.” So why flute and not any other instrument? “It’s closer to nature. It’s very rustic and there are no strings attached to it. Actually I did not choose flute, flute chose me. I could have done acting or taken up any other instrument, but I could never stop or give up playing flute.” Ronu da further shared some of the precious memories of his life. “I will never forget the day when I shared stage with the great George Harrison of The Beatles. It was a very overwhelming experience. Furthermore, once I went abroad for a concert with Panchamda. There the western band asked us if someone from the Indian contingent could play their (western) notations. An inquisitive Panchamda looked at all musicians and asked, ‘who can play?’ I raised my hand. Since I was young and new, was nervous but played the numbers for which I got a standing ovation. I can never forget that day.” So what does he have to say of the kind or quality of music that is being churned out today? “I won’t say that good music is missing now. But things have commercialized and been digitized. Somewhere the real feel has gone missing. We never really cared for money or fame; we played because we would die otherwise. Music is a sadhana…it’s an art.” Finally, before leaving, he gifted everyone with a flute autographed by him. It was a sweet gesture which we will remember for all our life. Ronu da…hats off to you!!!