1. History: Bansuri flute, also known as Indian bamboo flute, originated in India and is one of the most representative instruments in Indian classical music. It has a long history and appeared in India as early as the 3rd century BC. Bansuri-like flutes are depicted in paintings and reliefs in ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Jain temples, and are also common in iconography of the Hindu god Krishna. Closely related to the love story of Krishna and Radha. Bansuri is revered as the sacred instrument of Lord Krishna. The bansuri flute has become an integral part of Indian music with its unique timbre and wide range of applications. Over time, the bansuri flute was gradually introduced to other Asian countries and regions, such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, etc., and became an important element of music in these regions. Indian bamboo flutes are different from Chinese bamboo flutes. Each flute has only one bamboo section and the bamboo wall is very thin. Most Indian flutes are made of bamboo produced in Assam, a border province in northwestern India, known as reed bamboo. This kind of bamboo has very long sections, which can reach more than 80 centimeters. Each flute is made of one section of bamboo. Its biggest feature is that the bamboo wall is very thin. A bamboo with a length of 80 centimeters and a diameter of 3.5 centimeters has a wall thickness of 0.25 centimeters, which is only equivalent to the thickness of a coin. Bansuri has no membrane holes and no flute membrane. Therefore, the timbre of the bass bansuri is similar to the “Dongxiao" （Chinese musical instrument “desolate”）. |
2. Structure: Bansuri is made from a hollow bamboo shaft with seven finger holes. Some modern designs are made from ivory, fiberglass, and various metals. The six-hole instrument covers two and a half octaves of music. The length of a bansuri is usually between 30 cm (12 inches) and 75 cm (30 inches), with a diameter equivalent to a human thumb. One end is closed, and a few centimeters away from the closed end is its blowing hole. The longer bansuri has a deeper timbre and a lower pitch. Musicians create the notes they want by covering and opening various finger holes |
