Niranjan Prasad

Pandit Niranjan Prasad (11 November 1941 – 31 March 2013) was a respected Indian bansuri (flute) player of Hindustani classical music. He was born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj). From an early age he developed a deep interest in music and later became known as a skilled flautist of the Banaras Gharana tradition. 

He received his musical training from the famous flute maestro Bholanath Prasanna. Under his guidance, Niranjan Prasad mastered the techniques of bansuri and the classical raga system. Through this training he became part of the Prasanna musical lineage of the Banaras Gharana, which has produced many great flute players in Hindustani classical music. 

During his career, Pandit Niranjan Prasad performed at many major music festivals and classical concerts in India and abroad. His flute playing was known for its expressive tone and strong command of raga presentation. Besides classical performances, he also played flute for several Hindi film music recordings, contributing to movies such as Guddi, Shor, Dharkan, and Prem Parvat. 

He was also associated with All India Radio and worked with the National Orchestra of AIR in New Delhi and Lucknow for many years. Through radio broadcasts and concerts, he helped popularize classical flute music among a wider audience. He retired from All India Radio in 2001 after a long musical career. 

Apart from performing, Pandit Niranjan Prasad was an influential teacher and promoter of music education. He founded the Dr. Ambedkar Sangeet Academy in Lucknow and trained many students in bansuri and classical music. He passed away on 31 March 2013, leaving behind a lasting legacy as an important flutist and teacher of the Banaras musical tradition.