A question that often gets thrown at athletes—”When are you going to retire?”—has now found its way into the world of classical arts. The catalyst? A recent live performance by Padma Vibhushan recipient, the legendary flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.
The moment that sparked the debate took place at the “Amar Jyoti 2025” event at Delhi’s Kamani Auditorium. Writer and physician Taslima Nasreen was in the audience and later took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her candid thoughts. She expressed concern for the 87-year-old maestro, noting that “He can no longer truly play. His hands tremble; the flute will not stay steady.”
But the maestro himself has a different perspective. In a direct response to the comments, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia stated that he performs because his heart tells him to, not because he is forced. He said, “I perform from my heart, what my wish is. It is love, good behavior (from people). When people say something, I play that too. It’s not that I’m rigid and will only play one thing.” He added that he enjoys giving joy to others and that the encouragement from his listeners keeps him “motivated” and “full of life.”
The public’s reaction to Nasreen’s post was swift and divided. Many users on X agreed with her, suggesting that it was “shameful” for the artist to be on stage and questioning why he would agree to it at his age. This group believes that an artist’s legacy should be protected from the physical limitations that come with age. However, a strong counter-argument emerged. Other users defended the artist’s autonomy, arguing that no one but Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia should decide his stage life. Some even criticized Nasreen for posting the video, calling her actions “not flattering.” The debate highlights a complex issue of public expectation versus an artist’s personal desire to continue their craft.