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.