An Overview of the Bansuri
Bansuri (“Bans” means bamboo, “suri” means “swar” or notes) has its place in Indian mythology and tradition through time. What makes the Bansuri or the Bamboo Flute stand aside is that it is a plant/ vegetable origin.
This single reed shoot of the bamboo plant creates the beautiful, relaxing sound, when the lips meet it and the breath produces, the reverberations, creating a quiet connection to the inner self.
The meditative, quiet, dedicated, yet serene sound of the Bansuri gives it a special place in our lives.
And yet behind this seemingly simple instrument, there lies the magic of generations of skilled hands of playing and making over the thousand years to give it true expression.
The Bansuri has the deep connection with Lord Krishna and hence a deeply religious and melodic element brought to life with the breathe when blown into it.
A particular kind of Bamboo called Cinchor is used to make Bansuris. These are matured over years and then the Flute Makers carefully, lovingly create the holes by boring into it the bamboo to produce perfect notes.
Flute makers or Bansuri makers have a special place in any Bansuri player’s life.
There are two streams of Indian Music which use the Bansuri.
North Indian tradition and Carnatic tradition.
North Indian bansuris are normally 8-holed, 6 / 7 to play and one to blow in. They range from 6 inches to 40 inches and above depending upon the scales of the sounds.
The Carnatic Bansuri or (also called the Venu (the Sanskrit name for bansuri) nowadays is smaller and used wonderfully in the Carnatic tradition.
Both traditions or styles of music are intrinsically beautiful and are built on strong devotional and spiritual foundations.
benefits of playing the bansuri
- Improved breath regulation and control
- Improved functioning of the lungs and diaphragm
- Reduces the risks of bronchitis and respiratory problems
- Regular practice with the proper technique improves alertness of the mind
- Improved hand-eye coordination
- Increases the accuracy and sensitivity of finger positions on the flute
- Improves spiritual awareness
- Awakens the mind to the beauty of sounds of nature, as in birds, rivers etc.
- Serves as a form of meditation
- Serves as a universal language to depict or convey emotions and feelings
- Unites artists and enthusiasts from different parts of the world