Bansuri is a transverse flute that originated in India. Made with bamboo and used extensively in the scope of Hindustani classical music, its origin is traced back to the ancient Vedic and Sanskrit texts. The word bansuri is a nomenclature of the words bans meaning bamboo and sur meaning melody.
History
The side-blown flute or a bansuri is native to India although other designs can be found elsewhere including countries like Egypt and Greece. The modern bansuri which is now available is not very different in its design and construction from its medieval counterpart. It is considered one of the most important instruments in the Indian Natya Shastra, a Sanskrit text dealing with music and other performing arts. It complements the Veena in the most profound way.
Construction
A bansuri is made from a special bamboo type that grows very long lengths. These grow in abundance in the Himalayan foothills and can thrive in altitudes up to 11,000 feet. After harvesting and cutting, they are treated with various natural oils to further strengthen them. The holes are made with hot metal skewers and finished off by sanding. The instrument has one plugged end and is unit tested several times before use in a performance. The notes are controlled by the distance between the mouth and finger hole along with the diameter of the finger holes.
Types
There are two types of bansuris available, fipple and transverse. The fipple bansuri is used extensively in folk music and is played like a tin whistle at the lips. The transverse type offers more control to the player and can be used for different note embellishments and variations. The latter is the one used in Indian classical music. The bass note is pa or the fifth note of the harmony which is emitted when all holes remain closed.
Playing
The instrument is held in a downward, slanted horizontal position towards the right. Supported by the little finger and the thumb, the rest of the fingers of the right hand are used to cover outer finger holes while that of the left-hand covers the rest. The air hole stays near the lips and can the velocity of air can be modulated by the player. The sound is generated due to air resonance. One can also play the diatonic scale and cover endless ragas and complex, classical annotations through different conventional as well-as acquired techniques.
Let us now get introduced to the top 5 bansuri players who have elevated the instrument to a platform of global recognition and interest.
Hariprasad Chaurasia
This bansuri player has reached international heights with his contribution to Indian classical music. He has also expanded the instrument’s exposure on the global stage who has contributed largely towards popularizing bansuri in both classical music and pop culture. His style is a proper balance between traditionalism and innovation who has honed the blowing technique with his masterful playing. He has also been a part of the Indian film industry and in enabling fusion music through collaborations with Shakti.
Deepak Ram
A senior disciple of maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia, Deepak Ram is another versatile figure who has taken bansuri as a representative of Indian classical music. He has also helped in taking the exposure of the instrument to the global platform. He is an extremely versatile artist who went on the gain international fame garnering widespread fans from around the world.
G.S. Sachdev
His playing technique was based on classical musical vocal traditions. He was one of the most educated bansuri players to emerge from India.
Ronu Majumdar
Ronu Majumdar is an inspiration for the youth of India and is widely known for his melodic improvisations across Hindustani Classical music.
Ravichandra Kulur
He is the one to imbibe Carnatic influences in his music and went on to become one of the most significant names in the scope of flutists in the Indian subcontinent.
Bansuri is native to India although the technique has found considerable exposure in other countries in changed forms. However, this flute instrument not only adds to the collective musical evolution of classical music but thanks to these maestros, it is now being accepted in other cultural scopes paving the way for fusion growth in the most profound way. Begin your melodic journey with bansuri by listening to the above-mentioned artists right away.