david
philipson / about the bansuri
The
bansuri ( bans [bamboo] + swar [a musical note] ) is a transverse
alto flute made of a single length of bamboo and has six or seven open
finger holes. There are no keys to produce sharps and flats, therefore
all accidentals and microtones, as well as meend (glissandi) and other
ornaments, so important to Indian classical music, are produced by a unique
fingering technique.
Although the bansuri is among the most ancient musical instruments of
India, its status as a concert instrument for north Indian classical music
is a relatively recent phenomenon. This favorite instrument of shepherds
and folk musicians for thousands of years was brought into the fold of
Hindustani classical music by the legendary maestro, the late Pandit
Pannalal Ghosh .
Previously the bamboo flute of North India had been a soprano instrument usually no more than fourteen inches long and was used for short classical pieces, light music or accompaniment. Pannalal Ghosh's innovations in the development of the bansuri included the creation of a larger instrument of more than thirty inches in length, (thus giving the bansuri its characteristic somber-yet-sweet tone and register, so suitable for Hindustani classical music), and the addition of the seventh finger hole (which extends the range of the instrument, while also allowing for the more accurate rendition of many ragas) and the development of the bass bansuri. Perhaps Pannalal Ghosh's greatest contribution however was his insightful adaptation of the classical vocal style and its presentation on the bansuri. A consummate artist who's virtuosity was equaled by the depth of his understanding, Pandit Pannalal Ghosh singlehandedly elevated the status of the bansuri to that of an instrument capable of expressing the sublime and wondrous nature of the classical vocal style.
You can mail-order a great bansuri from Sri Jeff Whittier, master craftsman and disciple of Pt. G.S. Sachdev.
Mr. Kirti Shah of one-world-trading.com offers a variety of bansuri made by many different master craftsmen.
The bansuri with its pastoral associations
and as the chosen instrument of Lord Krishna, is one of the oldest musical
instruments of India: it is mentioned in the Vedas and is depicted in
the Buddhist art of 2,000 years ago. One Sanskrit verse credits the bansuri
as the source of swarajnana - the knowledge of music.
Lord
Krishna and Radha
Devi
