MUMBAI – In a rare convergence of traditional mastery and modern digital influence, Padma Shri awardee and world-renowned Bansuri maestro Pandit Ronu Majumdar (flautist) hosted a pioneering interaction with Mumbai’s leading content creators. The event, held recently in the city, served as a significant step in bringing Indian classical music into the contemporary digital dialogue.
Over 20 prominent bloggers and influencers gathered for the intimate session, which featured a masterclass in musical history, a soul-stirring live recital, and candid reflections on the changing landscape of the Indian music industry.
A Legacy of Breath and Bamboo – The Flute
The evening with Bloggers and Influencers in Mumbai opened with a tribute to Ronu Majumdar’s four-decade journey. A torchbearer of the Maihar gharana, his career spans prestigious global stages and iconic collaborations with R.D. Burman on classics like 1942: A Love Story. After a soul-stirring live recital that transformed the room into a meditative space, the maestro shared rare anecdotes from his time in the studio with stalwarts like Kishore Kumar, offering a masterclass in maintaining classical purity within commercial cinema.
Recalling his work in Indian cinema, Majumdar shared nostalgic anecdotes from his time with the legendary R.D. Burman, most notably on the iconic soundtrack of 1942: A Love Story. He provided rare insights into the discipline required to maintain classical purity while recording for mainstream cinema alongside stalwarts such as Kishore Kumar.
“You & Me”: Ronu Majumdar’s Classical Music for the New Age
A major highlight of the session was the discussion of his latest single, “You & Me”. Drawing inspiration from a poignant lullaby by Kishore Kumar in the film Kunwara Baap, the track is designed as a soulful dialogue between the artist and a modern audience. Through this project, I wanted to ensure the bansuri remains relevant across generations,” Majumdar noted, emphasizing that the composition aims to blend classical integrity with contemporary emotional resonance.
Pandit Ronu Majumdar on Instagram
Shaping the Cultural Conversation with Digital Creators
The session concluded with one-on-one interactions, where bloggers captured exclusive insights into the life of a classical legend. The event underscored the growing role of digital creators in preserving and promoting Indian arts. By opening his doors to the influencer community, Ronu Majumdar has reinforced his status not only as a cultural icon but as a mentor for the digital age.
“Don’t Do All These Things”: Advice to A.R. Rahman
The evening took a sharp turn when the maestro addressed recent comments made by fellow composer A.R. Rahman. Reflecting on their shared beginnings under Ilaiyaraaja, Majumdar expressed disappointment over Rahman’s recent BBC Asian Network interview. “When Rahman came into the picture, many lost work because melodies were being recorded on keyboards. But to his credit, he always used the original flute,” Majumdar said. However, he was firm in his critique of Rahman’s recent stance:
“It’s sad that he gave such a nasty interview. I don’t agree with you, Dilip—you are still Dilip to me. We were both beginners once. So don’t do all these things; be careful what you say. That is my advice to you.”
– PARESH B. MEHTA
Captivating journey of Gauhar Jaan brilliantly portrayed by Arpita Chatterjee in ‘My name is Jaan’
