Bansuri Flute

 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.

Chenda- Kind of Drum

Chenda is a kind of drum used as a percussion instrument in the state of Kerala. This is found also in Karnataka, as the Chende, but it has not developed that strong social association as the Chenda in the Malayalam area. Though the structure of the Chenda is not as refined as some of the other classes of drums such as the Pakhavaj, Mridanga or Tabla, it is the superiority of the playing technique, especially the rhythmic elaboration called Tayambakam, which sets this instrument apart.The instrument of chenda is for percussions and cylindrical in shape, which is prevalent in the Kerala state as well as in Karnataka, mostly in the region of Tulu Nadu, where it is also called as Chande.

The instrument has a cylindrical body usually made of Jackwood. It is about 50 cms length and 25 in diameter. The leather which is used for making the faces is of heifer. One side, called the left side, is a single plain parchment. However, the other side, called the right side, is a complex set of hides, six or seven in number, of decreasing diameter, glued on one another. The leather is held by a bamboo or metal hoop and the hoops on either side are connected by rope braces. The drum is suspended from the neck of the player who plays it with a pair of sticks. Though both sides can be used for playing, only one is actually beaten. Using the pair of sticks the drummer strikes only the upper parchment.

This instrument is used for playing in festivities of hindu temples and also in various art forms related to religions as accompanying instrument in kerala. For dance forms like Koodiyattam, Kathakali, Theyyam, Kannyar Kali, and in various rituals, the chenda is seen as accompanying instrument in kerala. In Yakshagana, which is a dance drama seen inKarnataka in Tulu Nadu region, this is also played. This instrument is taken to be, in traditional sense, one which will not have harmony and so known as Asura Vadyam. But still, it is among those instruments in the state of kerala, which cannot be avoided in any kind of activities related to religion.

The instrument Chenda is most commonly seen during the festival performances related to hindu temples as an accompanying instrument in various functions of the art forms, carried out in Kerala. In various dance processes of Kriyanga Pancha Vadyam or Kathakali and in the temple rituals using instruments, there is a group of musical instruments or Chenda Melam. Normally, the drum is thought of as the demonic instrument or Asura Vadyam and therefore the side on the left of this instrument is played, with right part of the drum struck only during specific instances such as when the goddess is carried into the Kathakali dance arena or in rituals related to Tantra and during Goddess Bhadrakali’s worship.

All about Indian Musicians

 Indian Musicians are very diverse and comprises of extremely talented individuals who are good at their respective domains of music, be it singing or playing an Indian or western instrument. Indian Music is considered to be one of the oldest musical traditions in the world. The origins of Indian Music system dates back to the Vedas. Concerning the origins and development of Indian Classical music, many legendary musicians have grown up. Some of them have gone a long way in showing the importance that music has essential Indian Culture.
Indian Classical Instruments undoubtedly justify the quote above and the magic hands which let these rhythms out are the legends who have not only carved their names in the golden history of Indian Classical Musicians of all times but also popularised it globally.Indian Classical Musicians have created an aura, enriched the world of music and provided solace to the hearts through their soulful music. They have created an everlasting impact on the hearts of their audience who have only felt the music connecting with them with their eyes closed.

Notable Indian Musicians

A huge number of Indian Musicians have made it big on the global map and also have even been featured on Hollywood movies. A lot of Indian Musicians have received awards from countries around the world. Some of the noted Indian Musicians are as follows:
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan – This famous Hindustani classical musician played a great role in popularizing the classical music all over the world. He was famous for his brilliant compositions and his knowledge of the Sarod. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 1989.
Dr. M.S. Subbalakshmi – Dr. M.S. Subbalakshmi was acknowledged as ‘The Nightingale of Carnatic Music’. She was famous for rendering devotional songs. She was the recipient of Padma Bhushan award in 1954 and Padma Vibhushan award in 1975 followed by many more awards.
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia – A classicist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is an internationally celebrated Flutist and Composer. His legacy as a flute player has been recognized by many governments worldwide. In the year 1984, in acknowledgement of his stupendous contribution to music, he was conferred the National Award of the Sangeet Natak Academy.
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – A vocal enchanter Pandit Bhimsen Joshi is acknowledged as the leading light and descendant of the Kirana Gharana. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1998 and Bharat Ratna in 2008.
K.S. Chitra – K.S. Chitra is known as the “Nightingale of South India” and also regarded as the builder of distinguishing honour as a playback singer. She has own the unique distinction of being the first female singer in the history of South Indian film playback singing to be honoured by all the four southern state governments as the best playback singer.

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