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Carnatic Flute Basics

Learning Carnatic Flute made easy!

By: Sri. Sriharsha Ramkumar

(Renowned Carnatic Flautist)

Carnatic Flute Basics By Sriharsha Ramkumar

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Section1: Types of Indian Bamboo Flutes

Topics covered:
1.1 Different forms of Indian Music
1.2 Brief about North Indian Hindustani Music
1.3 Brief about South Indian Carnatic Music
1.4 Indian Bamboo Flutes
1.5 Differences between North Indian & South Indian Bamboo Flutes

Continued in next page

Carnatic Flute Basics By Sriharsha Ramkumar

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1.1 Different Forms of Indian Music

We have 2 major forms of Music in India.
North Indian Hindustani Classical Music
South Indian Carnatic Classical Music

1.2 Brief about North Indian Hindustani Classical Music

Hindustani or North
Indian style
of Indian
classical
music is
very
throughout North India India and to some extent in Nepal and Afghanistan

famous

The style is sometimes called North Indian classical music or Shstriya Sangt
Types of Compositions in North Indian Hindustani Classical Music

Dhrupad

Khyal

Tarana

Tappa

Thumri

Ghazal

1.3 Brief about South Indian Carnatic Music

South Indian Carantic Music is a system of music associated with Southern part of
India, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu
This Style is sometimes called Karnaka Sagta or Karnaka sangeetham
Important elements in Carnatic Music are Sruti (Shruthi), Swara, Raga System, Thala
System
Major Composition types:

Varnam

Kriti/Kruthi/Keerthanes

Devarnamas

Carnatic Flute Basics By Sriharsha Ramkumar

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1.4 Indian Bamboo Flutes

We have 2 different types of Indian Bamboo Flutes. They are:
North Indian Hindustani Bamboo Flute which is commonly known as Bansuri

(Bansuri) caters for North Indian Hindustani Classical Music

South Indian Carnatic Bamboo Flute which is commonly known as Venu

Venu/Carnatic Flute caters for South Indian Carnatic Classical Music

1.5 Differences between Bansuri & Venu

Point 1:

Carnatic Flute Basics By Sriharsha Ramkumar

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Point 2: How we hold Bansuri in North Indian Hindustani Music

There are 2 majorly followed techniques in holding the Flutes by Hindustani Flautists
Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia Technique
Pt. Pannalal Ghosh Technique

Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia Technique

The above picture shows Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia style of holding the Flute

Pt. Pannalal Ghosh Technique

The above picture shows Pt. Pannalal Ghosh style of holding the Flute

Carnatic Flute Basics By Sriharsha Ramkumar

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How we hold the Flute in South Indian Carnatic Music:

Cross Fingering Technique/Style

The above picture shows Cross Fingering style of holding the Flute with respect to South Indian
Carnatic Music

Continued in next page

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Point 3
Hindustani Flutes/Bansuri usually produces Husky Sound (Normally preferred by all
Hindustani Flutists)
Carnatic Flutes/Venu produces thick sound (Preferred by all Carnatic flutists)

Carnatic Flute Basics By Sriharsha Ramkumar

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