Carnatic Flute / Venu
Indian flutes have been mentioned for centuries, with the first recorded instance in the Natya Shastra, the Sanskrit text on music and the arts. The venu is named as one of the three original instruments for making music, along with the human voice and the stringed veena. The venu is also the flute most often depicted in images and stories of Lord Krishna. Lord Vishnu is portrayed as Sri Venugopala - playing the Flute of Creation.
The Venu is a transverse flute (side blown) made entirely of seasoned bamboo and one of the oldest instruments of India. It is featured prominently in all South Indian music. The venu is also called Carnatic flute, pullankuzhal, and kolalu.
The Venu produces notes in a two-and-a-half octave range.
It has one open end where the sound comes out and a knotted, closed end at the other which is the node. It has one blowing hole and 8 playing holes.