Archaeological findings prove that the flute had been the earliest musical instrument to capture the imagination across the multitudes of cultures in the globe.

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Built with a diverse range of materials from animal bone to wood, bamboo and metal, the exception making each flute unique is the particular type of music that it plays.

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With regards to the Indian flutes, two main varieties are currently used, the Bansuri (consisting of six finger holes and one embouchure or "blow" hole) and the Venu/Pullanguzhal (having eight finger holes and one embouchure hole).

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The Venu is played predominantly in Carnatic music whereas the Bansuri is a component of the northern Hindustani strain of Indian Classical music.

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Presently, the eight-holed flute with cross-fingering technique (will be discussed in a later article) is common among many Carnatic flutists. Prior to this, the South Indian flute had only seven finger holes.