Southern India

Carnatic Classical Music

Bamboo, lacquer, coral, paint, fiber string
Length: 12 inches
Mid 20th century
Aerophones – Wind Instruments Proper – Edge-blown Flutes

This professional model venu is a short transverse flute made of bamboo that has geometric designs painted with black ink, string wrappings, a coral (blue stone) and is marked “A-35”.   The side blown flute is common in South India or Carnatic classical music.  It is classified as an aerophone, and is similar to the basuri (vamsa), a flute found in North India or Hindustani classical music. 

This venu is made from a single hollow shaft of bamboo that is comparatively wide with six finger holes and covers two and a half octaves of music.  It is 12 inches in length, and the closest end to the blowhole (embouchure hole) is closed by a node.  There are no mechanical keys, and the musician creates the notes by tapping the various finger holes.  The use of ornamentation (gamaka) is important, and its repertory mainly follows the voice.