The bansuri, one of the oldest musical instruments in India,

is a transverse flute made of a single length of bamboo.

It has six or seven open finger holes and no keys, so a unique fingering technique is used for sharps and flats and produce the microtonal sliding and other ornaments which are so characteristic of the instrument.

The bansuri has always held mystic fascination in India because of Krishna.

His flute playing is not only a call of the lover to the gopis (milk-maids), but is the divine invitation to the Soul of Man for union with the Lord.

ÒStill must I like a homelss bird

Wander, forskingall;

The earthy loves and worldy lures

That held my life in thrall,

And follow, follow, answering

The magincal flute-call.Ó (Sarojini Naidu )