Sameer Rao (born 12 May 1982) is an Indian flautist who plays the Bansuri, the Indian bamboo flute. He is one of the prominent disciples of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.
Early life Sameer Rao started his musical journey into Hindustani classical music and playing the Bansuri under the training of Pandit Veerabhadriah Hiremath at Mysore. He was chosen as a disciple by the world renowned flute wizard, Living legend, Padma Vibhushan, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia. Under the guidance of the Panditji, he discovered the various aspects of Indian classical music and the nuances of playing the Bansuri. Sameer was a resident student of Vrindaban Gurukul, Mumbai that keeps alive to this day the ancient Guru-Shishya Parampara of the traditional Gurukul, trained under Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia from the year 2004 to 2010.
Career From 2010 to 2012, Sameer worked at the newly constructed Gurukul by his Guruji in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. There, Sameer mentored the music students and also managed the operational activities of Gurukul.
Sameer was on AIR (All India Radio). He played at both individual concerts and Jugalbandis. Sameer has also accompanied his Guruji, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, on many of his concerts. He has released albums internationally.
Awards and recognition The Music and Dance Academy of Karnataka has awarded Sameer with a Scholarship during the year 1997–1998. Sameer was conferred with the "Yuva Pratibha" award by The Directorate of Kannada and Culture, Govt. of Karnataka, in 2004.Recognizing his mastery in Bansuri Sri Guru Ganayogi Panchakshara Sangeet Yogashram Trust, Chennai chose him for the "Award of Excellence" in 2004 . Other awards include “NadaKIshore” by Nada Bramha Sangeeetha Sabha of Mysore in 2006 and “Surmani” by the Sur Singar Samsad of Mumbai, in 2008.
Discography In the Moonlight – 2015 Kaushi Kanada – 2015 Shades of Bamboo – 2016 Breathing Through Bansuri – 2016 Mansoon Majesty – 2017 Cosmic Conversations – 2017 Following his footsteps – 2018 Dhyaana – 2019 Panchabhoota – 2019 Haripriaya − 2020
Personal life Sameer lives in Mysore.
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