The bansuri, also known as the Indian flute, is a musical instrument that has a long and rich history in Indian classical music. The bansuri is a type of transverse flute that is made from bamboo and has six or seven finger holes, depending on the design. The instrument is played by blowing air into one end of the flute while simultaneously covering and uncovering the finger holes to create different notes.
The bansuri is thought to have originated in ancient India and has been used in Hindu religious music and Indian classical music for thousands of years. In Hindu mythology, the bansuri is often associated with Lord Krishna, who is said to have used the instrument to serenade the gopis, or milkmaids. This connection with Lord Krishna has made the bansuri a popular instrument for devotional music and has helped to cement its place in Indian culture.
In Indian classical music, the bansuri is considered a melody instrument and is frequently used to play the lead or solo parts in a performance. The instrument has a beautiful, tranquil sound that is well suited to the meditative and spiritual nature of classical Indian music , where it is typically paired with other instruments such as the tabla, sitar, or sarod. The bansuri is also used in light classical and folk music.
The bansuri is not only important in Indian music, but it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world. Over the past few decades, the bansuri has been introduced to Western audiences and has become a significant part of world music genres. Western musicians have been drawn to the instrument’s unique sound and have incorporated it into a variety of musical styles, including jazz, western classical, world fusion, new age, and folk.
Leading bansuri players in Indian classical music: Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, G. S. Sachdev (1935 – 2018), Pandit Raghunath Seth, Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Pandit Nityanand Haldipur, Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao (1925–2011), Pandit Pannalal Ghosh (1911-1960), Pravin Godkhindi, Rupak Kulkarni, and Rakesh Chaurasia. Meanwhile, Dr. Alka Thakur is one of the leading female players.
Notable non-Indian bansuri musicians: Manose Singh (Nepal), Steve Gorn (USA), and Deepak Ram (South Africa).
Bansuri Books
Bansuri in Indian Classical Music: History and Development by Santosh Kumar
The Chromatic Bansuri: A Cross-Cultural Guide to Learning the North Indian Bamboo Flute by Joshua Geisler.
Selected Bansuri albums:
Living Legend of Bansuri by Hari Prasad Chaurasia
Bansuri – Bamboo Flute of India by G.S. Sachdev
Master of the Indian Bansuri by Ronu Majumdar
The Indian Bansuri by Ronu Majumdar
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.