Successes and dreams

He learned to play the flute at a very early age. 'I was greatly influenced by my brothers who used to play the flute.'

Bari took flute lessons from Ustad Aminur Rahman, student of the legendary Ustad Pannalal Ghosh. He was then a university student.' I used to sing at many functions when I was in university and afterwards I started to play the flute professionally. There is a part of rag-ragini called alaap. I learned many authentic techniques of this alaap from the son of Ustad Aminur Rahman, Tawfiq Newaz.' He had also taken lessons from Pandit VG Karnad and learned various techniques from the Late Pandit Debendra Mudreshwar.

Bari Siddiqiui toured to countries like India, Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, England, Switzerland, France and many other European countries. ' It was in 1999 at the World Flute Conference in Geneva, where representatives from seventy countries took part. I was the only representative from the sub -continent. There was a big coverage in the newspapers where they praised my playing as well.'

He received many awards for his performances at Fajar Music Festival award in Iran, World Flute Conference Award in Geneva, International Film Movement Association Award, and Bachshash Award.

Bari Siddiqui not only plays the flute, he also sings. Three albums have been released so far which has gained national appreciation. 'Srabon Megher Din' happens to be his latest and most talked about works. He is also thinking about releasing another album, which may be, titled 'Lilua Batash'.