Carnatic / Karnatik
Flute

This music clip (above) here on this page features renowned and amazing carnatic bamboo flute player V.K.Raman playing Raga Varali / Anand Bhairavi. He is playing one of my D# (2½ katta) Carnatic flute.

Pulangoil, Venu, Karnatic flute, Pullanguzhal are one of the many names given to this unique eight-hole south Indian flute. It is commonly referred to as Carnatic or Karnatik or Karnatic flute based upon the earlier name for a large region of South India.

Though an ancient instrument, most prevalent design of Carnatic flutes is the one which is said to have been invented by by Sharaba Shastri of the Palladam school, in the beginning of the 20th century. It was subsequently adopted and vastly popularized by T.R. Mahalingam a.k.a Mali. It is now considered to be the traditional style flute of south Indian.

Anatomy of Carnatic Flute

The tonic SA is taken at first two finger holes covered. First three fingers of left hand cover the top three tone holes (finger holes) and four fingers of the right one cover the four holes below. The last i.e. the 8th hole remains open except in special fingerings where four fingers of each hand work with all 8 holes.

More often than not, like Bansuri, to find a well tuned Carnatic flute has been more a thing of chance than routine. But not anymore. Take a look at my Carnatic flute catalog below and be assured of the concert quality tuning, sweetness and volume in each one of them. There is nothing mass produced about them as I make all my flutes with individual attention.

You can also order your next Carnatic flute in Neo style (with lip plate) as detailed on my Neo-Bansuri page.

Listen to Flute Raman play on Anubodh D# Neo Carnatic flute.

Traditional Carnatic Flute Catalog

Flute Number	Sa 2 Finger holes closed	Pa 5 Finger holes closed	Lowest Note 8 Finger holes closed	Carnatic Flute Image	Approx. Length (inches)	Price (US$)	Buy Now
CF1	D	A	F		21	200
CF2	D#	A#	F#		20	190
CF3	E	B	G		19	185
CF4	F	C	G#		18	180
CF5	F#	C#	A	image coming soon	17	170
CF6	G	D	A#		16	160
CF7	G#	D#	B	image coming soon	15	150

Please note that the above list is not comprehensive. So if you need a flute larger than the ones listed above please email me at and I will get back to you with the price and any other information you want.

Shashank Style Carnatic Flute

I also make Carnatic flutes in Shashank style (named after the prodigious young flutist Shashank). This design also has 8 finger holes but is different from the traditional Carnatic flute in the way that it is fingered. Basically the fingering technique in this flute is quite similar to that in North Indian Bansuri flutes.

If you would like to order one in this design, please do so by clicking on the relevant "Buy Now" link above and in the payment page leave your comments that you want it in the Neo Carnatic or Shashank style or just send me an email at after ordering. Feel free to email me anyway if you have any questions or comments.

Page updated on July 30, 2009