Big B praises Hariprasad Chaurasia on his 75th birthday

Mumbai: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan greeted his "personal friend" and flute maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia on his 75th birthday.

Chaurasia, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, along with santoor exponent Shivkumar Sharma composed the music for hit Bachchan-Jaya-Rekha starrer 1981 film 'Silsila'.

"July 1st the birthday of Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia... A flautist of immense renown, talent and greatness. He has been a personal friend and along with Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, the eminent santoor player, gave us the music of 'Silsila'.

"Hari ji's flute playing has been a marvel... It speaks almost to the listener, weaves a most all consuming emotion inside you... and Shiv ji's santoor, that special instrument in string, that originated from Kashmir, can hoist one into

the picturesque and the most beautiful environs of the region...," Bachchan posted on his blog.

'Silsila' was directed by late filmmaker Yash Chopra and extensively shot in Kashmir.

Bachchan, 70, also reminisced the beauty and the hospitality of Kashmiri people.

"Visiting Kashmir was a given during the early parts of our film career. The shooting schedules would be designed to work there and the entire family would come along to break away from the devastating summer heat of the plains.

"When the door of the plane opened on landing at Srinagar, that blast of cool fresh air was an invigoration of a lifetime... What wonderful times have been spent in the valley... Simply indescribable... Its weather, its locations, its unique food... but above all its warm loving and caring people...," he added.