Chaurasia was born in Allahabad (1938) (present day Prayagraj) in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.[2] His mother died when he was six years old. He had to learn music without his father's knowledge, as his father wanted him to become a wrestler. Chaurasia did go to the Akhada and trained with his father for some time, although he also started learning music and practising at his friend's house.