Imagine chilling under a banyan tree in Vrindavan, your Bansuri in hand, and you are ready to play a melody that feels like Lord Krishna’s own.
When I first tried Raga Bhupali, it was like Lord Krishna’s flute come alive—pure magic! I’m so excited to share how to practice ragas on the Bansuri, focusing on two beginner-friendly ones: Raga Bhupali and Raga Yaman.
With accurate notes and a sprinkle of Lord Krishna’s inspiration, let’s make your flute sing. Ready to create some soulful melodies together!
What Are Ragas? The Heart Of Your Bansuri
Ragas are like musical stories, each weaving a unique mood—peace, love, devotion etc.
The Natya Shastra (circa 200 BCE–200 CE) calls them carriers of rasa (emotion), and the Bansuri’s breathy voice, tied to prana (life force), brings them to life.
The Sangeet Ratnakara (13th century CE) stresses practicing ragas with care, focusing on swaras (notes) and their flow (chalan).
When I started, I found ragas difficult to deal with, but slow and consistent practice unfolds the real beauty.
Think of your Bansuri as Lord Krishna’s flute enchanting the world with every note.
Raga Bhupali: Your Evening Melody
Let’s start with Raga Bhupali, a simple evening raga that feels like a gentle prayer.
Its aroha (ascending scale) is Sa Re Ga Pa Dha Sa’ and avaroha (descending scale) is: Sa’ Dha Pa Ga Re Sa. No flat or sharp notes—just pure, calming notes that evoke shanta (peace), like Lord Krishna soothing Vrindavan’s cows.
My first Bhupali was shaky, but it felt like a warm hug by the end.
How to Practice Raga Bhupali:-
Get Comfortable: Hold your Bansuri as we learned in our earlier blogs, and blow a steady Sa. Let your breath flow like prana, as the Natya Shastra suggests.
Play the Swaras: Slowly play the aroha: Sa Re Ga Pa Dha Sa’. Repeat 5 times, keeping your breath smooth.
Try a Simple Alap: Play Sa-Re-Ga, pause, then Ga-Pa-Dha. Add a gentle slide (meend) between notes, like Lord Krishna’s fluid venu-nada.
Try this: Sa-Re-Ga-Pa, Pa-Dha-Sa’. The Sangeet Ratnakara calls this alankara (ornamentation).
Feel the Mood: Bhupali is peaceful. Picture Lord Krishna under the stars, and let your notes flow like a breeze. Practice for 10–15 minutes daily.
I used to stumble on Dha, but slow practice helped. Check out Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Ji’s Raga Bhupali online.
Raga Yaman: A Touch Of Love
Next up is Raga Yaman, an evening raga with a romantic vibe.
Its aroha is Sa Re Ga Ma# Pa Dha Ni Sa’ and avaroha is Sa’ Ni Dha Pa Ma# Ga Re Sa.
The sharp Ma# gives it that longing, shringara feel, like Lord Krishna calling the gopis as mentioned in the Gita Govinda (12th century CE).
Sharp Ma# sound comes when all the holes on the Bansuri are opened.
How to Practice Yaman:
Swara Practice: Play the aroha: Sa Re Ga Ma# Pa Dha Ni Sa’. Go slow, making Ma# sharp and clear. Then play the avaroha. Repeat the aroha and avaroha 5 times feeling its flow. Important thing is to feel the flute’s sound and flow of Raga.
Play a Phrase:
Try Sa-Re-Ga-Ma#, Pa-Dha-Ni-Sa. Add a slide from Ga to Ma# (meend), as the Sangeet Ratnakara advises for expressiveness.
Practice this: Ga-Ma#-Pa, Dha-Ni-Sa.
Feel the Raga:
Raga Yaman evokes love and longing. Picture Lord Krishna playing for Srimati Radharani, as in the Venu Gita where each note carry that emotion. Practice for 15 minutes, letting the melody flow from your heart.
My first Yaman was a bit wobbly, but practicing those Ga-Ma# slides made it feel magical.
Listening to Ronu Majumdar’s Raga Yaman can inspire you—it’s like Lord Krishna’s flute guiding your fingers!
Tips To Keep Your Practice Soulful
When I practice, I think of the Brahmavaivarta Purana (circa 10th century CE), where Lord Krishna’s flute symbolizes surrender to the divine, being hollow.
That’s the spirit of raga practice—let go and let the music flow.
Spend 15–20 minutes daily, alternating Bhupali and Yaman.
Record yourself to track progress—my early recordings were humbling but kept me going!
And always play with Lord Krishna’s joy, letting the Venu Gita’s magic inspire you.
Let's Keep The Melody Flowing
I’m so happy you’re here, bringing these ragas to life with your Bansuri.
Next, we’ll explore how the Bansuri enhances meditation and yoga, deepening our connection to the spiritual roots.
Let’s keep this musical journey alive together!
All Glories To This Divine Instrument, Flute!!