Dhrupad Curved Flute - Flute Learning process explained !

Flute classes in Pune - Dhrupad Gurukul

Dhrupad Curved Flute was invented By Guru Sameer Inamdar, (who is a renowned dhrupad flautist ) in 2018, after years of research . Last year he started first batch of Dhrupad Curved flute along with other regular batches of normal flute learning.

On his students insistence, Dhrupad Gurukul is starting with more batches on Dhrupad Curved Flute Available to both offline flute learning and online flute learning .

Many Students had Certain queries regarding Dhrupad Curved Flute, through this article will try to clear those doubts.

Why to use Dhrupad Curved Flute?

Its the only flute ,which is most suitable for dhrupad oriented music. This flute allows to play all the characteristics that human voice is capable (which usually used in Dhrupad Vocalist)

So ,in short it not only capable of producing the versatile sound but it is capable of producing different dynamics of sound first time ever on the flute.

How Dhrupad Curved Flute is different from Normal Flute?

Dhrupad Curved Flute is a 10-Fingeres flute, where all the 10fingers are used to play the flute without using any extra key or external mechanisms giving total control to the fingers which helps in playing different shades of a single swar.

Being a U- shaped Flute, it is easier to Maintain the continuity of swars and play meend more fluently. With this flute, you can easily play 3 octaves, giving more possibilities while playing different ragas.

Is curved flute only for Dhrupad Music?

Dhrupad Curved Flute was specifically designed considering the intricacies of Dhrupad Music but it also give flexibility of playing all kind of music and ragas . Moreover Dhrupad Curved Flute allows all the 3 octaves along with all the shuddha and komal (Half open notes) by using all the 10 fingers. So this gives the more versatility to this flute in any genre.

Who Can learn the Dhrupad Curved Flute?

Anyone can learn Dhrupad Curved Flute but the student should have patience and proper dedication.

Is it hard to play the Curved Flute ?

With proper guidance ,this takes around 4-5 years to master the curved flute.

How many notes can this bansuri play ?

With Dhrupad Curved Flute you can easily achieve 3 octaves.

Which is better flute or bansuri - Normal or Curved Flute?

Dhrupad Curved Flute is a complete and more Versatile Flute as compare to Normal Flute, like while playing "ma" and "pa" or " Ga -Pa" , "Re Pa" , "sa Sa" etc on normal flute we don't get proper Meend but it is easier to maintain continuity of swars, because of its U- shape and by using all 10 fingers switching between 2 swars is very smooth.

No extra key or External mechanism is used on Curved Flute, so it is easier to control Different shades of same swars used in different Ragas.

Usually, only few ragas are performed on bansuri like Bhoopali, hansdhwani.. etc but on Dhrupad Curved Flute you can easily play ragas with more esthetically and precisely (Like adhbood Kalyan , kamboji , Purvi, Darbari etc ,which are very rarely played on bansuri as this flute gives the flexibility of going upto 3 octaves and better control on transition of Swars.

How long does it take to learn the curved flute?

Learning Dhrupad Curved flute, like any other art forms take time and patience.

Is this lord Krisna's flute?

In some Classical Texts, there is mention of one of Krishna's Flute named Mahananda, which is like a fish hook. Inspiration of Dhrupad Curved flute is taken from that.

Who gave bansuri to Krishna?

Lord Shiva gave bansuri To Krishna.

What are the health benefits of playing this Bansuri?

There are numerous health benefits of flute playing .

Is this the hardest musical instrument to learn?

No, but it looks like the Hardest Musical instrument, as we are not used to playing with 10 fingers. But once you get a hang of using all 10 fingers, it is the most friendly musical instrument.

How many hours a day should I practice flute?

Disciplined and regular practice is more important to learn any art form, rather than practicing for N number of hours.

Is playing flute good for lungs?

Yes, Many of our students who are asthmatic have experienced improvement in their health after they started playing bansuri.

Is this a bansuri for the beginners?

Yes, on the contrary Dhrupad Curved flute is easier for beginners as they are starting from zero in comparison to the students who are used to playing normal flute as they have to go through the process of unlearning and starting again from the basics of how to hold a flute, fingering techniques etc.

Dhrupad Bansuri - A Stunning Truth!

History of Bansuri

Bansuri produces such a magical , sweet sound (in scientific terms purely sine wave) and it's a lord Krishna's instrument. As per Natyashastra, the classic Sanskrit text on music and performing arts, bansuri is considered as an important instrument and complementary to the human sound and Veena (Vaani - Veena - Venu).

Bansuri is probably the most simple instrument found in different ancient cultures. It is found in different shapes, Transverse flute(side way) appeared only in ancient India. Small Sized Bansuri were mainly used in the Folk music. Fipple Flutes were most common in different Cultures mostly in Greece, Egypt and India.

Many innovative shapes are also found in different cultures, algoza which is a "twin bansuri" in different keys constructed as a single instrument is found in the Himalayan foothills, allowing the musician to play more complex music.

Krishna's Bansuri

In Bhagavad Gita also various types of Krishna Flutes are mentioned. As per text, three kinds of flutes were used by Krishna.

- Venu which is very small, not more than six inches long, with six holes.

-Murali is about 18inches long with a hole at the end and four holes on the body. this kind of flute produces a very enchanting sound.

- Vamsi flute is about 15inches long, with nine holes on its body.

Krishna has a longer vamsi, which is called Mahananda, which is like a fish hook that captures the fish of Radha's heart and mind.

When it is still longer it is called Akarsini. When it is even longer it is called Anandini. The Anandini flute is very pleasing to cowherds.Another flute is known as Madanajhankrti.

Evolution of Dhrupad Curved Flute

The music which is truly ancient ,originated from Saam Veda is Prabhandha , Dhrupad . Now These styles -approaches are considered as the purest and oldest form of Indian Classical Music. So Dhrupad music is considered as a mother of all music .

Dhrupad music uses various voice techniques which are used in vedic hymns. Each swar in dhrupad can have different variants, Dynamics of sound embodied in Udatta, Anudatta and Svarita of a single notes creates microtonal shades of a single node.

All these minute technicalities of Dhrupad music created a need for an instrument where all these minute detailing of dhrupad music and continuity of the Swars can be achieved , which was not possible on the normal Six finger flute. All these hurdles, while playing Dhrupad On normal Bansuri lead to the invention of Dhrupad Curved Flute.

Dhrupad Curved Flute, which is the brainchild of Guru Sameer Inamdar, the seed of this innovation was sowed, while he was learning the Dhrupad music. The minute intricacies which are essential part of Dhrupad Music was not possible on the Normal bansuri.

Dhrupad Curved Flute is a U-Shaped Flute, which is played using all 10 Fingers first time ever without using any additional keys or any mechanism.

This Flute allows Orientation of Swar, Continuity between Swars -Meend, Different types of Gamaks and all the three Octaves. Moreover, this allows the connectivity between the Octaves precisely.

Unique design and better Functionality of Dhrupad Curved Bansuri helps in Achieving the core concept of Naadyog.

Experience the transcendental sound of Dhrupad Curved flute!!

DHRUPAD GURUKUL - HOW TO HOLD A FLUTE…

Welcome to Dhurpad Gurukul…

Oh, so you want to learn to play the flute? Sounds interesting let me help you. In the process of mastering any musical instrument, the first thing that comes to place is how you hold it properly. Other instruments might create sound but When it comes to flute you have to connect with it fully to produce swar. Physical, mental strength and absolute control over breath are important while playing it. Also, it might seem to be an ordinary musical instrument, but actually, a flute (bansuri)is the most difficult instrument to play and master. If you are a beginner good thing is we can gain strength and breath control with disciplined practice.

How this magical instrument creates sound? Unlike other instruments, while playing the flute it is very important to pay attention to the posture the wrong posture may cause discomfort and you may not be able to play the flute to its best potential.

How you hold the flute decides the quality of playing it in the best way. Especially in Komal Swars and Dhrupad music. It’s of utmost importance to hold the flute correctly and in a most scientific way.

Lets See…. It….

Posture

First, you need to seat in a proper posture seat down with your back straight and your shoulders back most preferably in siddhansana.

Now hold the flute so it is parallel to the ground. Position the blowhole below the bottom lip matching the center of the bottom lip with the center of the blowhole.

The flute should be angled eighty degrees inward, Now hold the flute on your thumbs, your thumbs should be in the same direction but positioned on the opposite side of the flute, this opposite force creates strong support and gives you great stability to hold the flute with just your thumbs.

In images, you can see the students can hold the flute on two thumbs with confidence and can even walk while holding it this way. As a beginner, you have to understand that flute is like a small kid if you don't pay enough attention and time it won't get along with you. For 1-2 days ,if you don't practice flute then you will observe that afterwards it won't play any sound easily.So daily practice in the right direction is a must. Learning the flute needs commitment and patience initially and after some time you see the magic beings.

For more details refer our video link

https://youtu.be/pNMMAa62xcc

-Namrata Rathod