bansuri

The bansuri is a traditional Indian flute made from bamboo, used primarily in Hindustani classical music. It is a transverse, side-blown instrument with a blowing edge at the mouth end, typically featuring six or seven finger holes on the front and a thumb hole on the back. Bansuris vary in length, and consequently in pitch range; common concert instruments are about 60 to 70 centimeters long, while shorter and longer versions exist. Many bansuris are notched near the blowing edge to stabilize the airstream, though not all are.

Notes are produced by directing the airstream across the edge while the player opens and closes the finger holes to change pitch. Pitch is controlled by embouchure, air speed, and fingering, with expressive techniques including microtonal bends and smooth glides between notes. The tone is typically described as rich, warm, and evocative, capable of both lyrical melodies and rapid passagework. Bansuri playing often emphasizes a caressed, singing quality that suits raga-based improvisation.

In practice, the bansuri is used across folk and classical contexts in the Indian subcontinent and has found a place in contemporary and film music as well. It is culturally associated with pastoral imagery and is frequently linked to depictions of Krishna in mythology.

Notable players include Pandit Pannalal Ghosh, who helped standardize the instrument for modern classical performance, and Hariprasad Chaurasia, whose international prominence helped popularize the bansuri beyond India.