Krishna Ram Chaudhary

Pt. Krishna Ram Choudhary, a renowned Indian Shehnai artist, hailed from the illustrious Banaras Gharana, known for its rich musical heritage. In 2017, he was awarded Padma Shri by the Indian Government for his contribution in music.

Early life Chaudhary was born on January 1, 1942, in Varanasi (Benaras.), Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Late Shri Gopal (Buddha Lal Choudhary) and Late Smt. Bhagyawanti Devi. The musical environment of his family deeply influenced his upbringing and nurtured his passion for Indian classical music.

Pt. Choudhary began his musical journey under the guidance of his father, a dedicated Shehnai player and a disciple of the celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist, Pandit Bade Ram Das Ji. He further honed his craft under the tutelage of Pandit Mahadeva Prasad Mishra, a revered vocalist of the Banaras Gharana. His artistry also benefited from the mentorship of his uncle, the acclaimed film music director Shri Ram Lal Sehara, known for his compositions in iconic films such as Sehra and Geet Gaya Patharon Ne.

Career Pt. Chaudhary began performing professionally at the age of twelve, showcasing the purity and intricate nuances of various ragas through his Shehnai. At 16 topped the All India Radio (AIR) competition in shehnai and was awarded a gold medal. Later, he joined the Song & Drama Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as a senior Shehnai artist and has performed at prestigious music conferences and cultural programs across India and abroad. He was awarded the President's Award in the All India Radio music competition in 1961.In 1982, he got the Critics’ Circle of India Award.

Awards Padma Shri in 2017 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2008 Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1991) Sensational Shehnai Player Award (1982) bestowed by Indian Social Lovers Organisation (ISCLO) CCI Award (1981): Recognition for outstanding contributions to India's cultural heritage Gold Medal (1978): Awarded by Bihar Sangeet Conference, Patna Surmani Award (1976): Conferred by Sur Singar Samsad Special President's Award (1961): Presented by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Honorable President of India

Death Pt. Chaudhary died in 2019 at the age of 83 and was suffering from gastroenterological disease.