Bansuri is an Indian musical instrument that is a simple bamboo tube. It is common in the North Indian or Hindustani classical music. It is found in many parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It is an antique musical instrument of the Indian subcontinent. It is called ‘nadi’ and ‘tunava’ in the Rig-Veda and in other Vedic texts of Hinduism.
Etymology of Bansuri
The word bansuri originates from the ‘bans’ which means bamboo and ‘sur’ meaning piece of music. In early medieval texts, the Sanskrit word ‘vamsi’ which is derived from root ‘vamsa’ meaning bamboo. A flute player in these medieval texts is called ‘vamsika’.
History of Bansuri
Bansuri is a simple musical instrument which can be found in many ancient cultures. According to the legends, the three birthplaces of Bansuri are Egypt, Greece and India. The early on medieval Indian bansuri was however, significant with its dimension, manner, bindings, and mounts on ends. It is discussed as a significant musical instrument in the ‘Natya Shastra’ and is mentioned in a lot of Hindu texts on music and singing. The Bansuri is however referred to by other names such as ‘nadi’, ‘tunava’ in the Rig-Veda and other Vedic texts of Hinduism, or as ‘venu’ in post-Vedic texts. The Bansuri is also mentioned in various Upanishads and Yoga texts.
