There is nothing like some cool flute music to soothe one's soul on a quiet night, round about midnight, at the end of a long crazy day. I have a couple of CDs by Hariprasad Chaurasia just for this purpose, and I'm wondering now why I don't have more. Is there any other instrument in the world that is so simple and yet so enchanting? There are fairy tales in Europe about magic flutes (and pipes) that can control the minds of people and animals, and is it any wonder the charming and flirtatious Krishna is portrayed as playing the flute? In the autumn nights, upon hearing the sweet music from Krishna's flute, the gopis hastened to him, some leaving the house while milking the cow, some while taking their meals, some while serving their husbands, they just abandoned their work and went to him, even with their garments and ornaments in disarray. The philosophical interpretation would be that Krishna represents Atman - pure consciousness or the real Self, while the music of the flute represents bliss that one finds as one forgets all worldly duties in the pursuit of spiritual devotion.

Have heard Hariprasad Chaurasia in concert before and it seems he likes to round off his performance by playing the Carnatic raga Hamsadhwani, with the popular tune of Vatapi Ganapathim (something which of course would be played at the beginning for a Carnatic show). Something light in the raga Pahadi (a raga evoking mountains and valleys of Punjab) is another favourite as part of the conclusion. What I'm enjoying at the moment is a track in raga Mian Ki Malhar. Will have to keep exploring to expand my horizon and seek further bliss...