The flute, or bansuri, has been in a sacred, soulful space in Indian music for hundreds of years. The instrument has roots in both classical and folk traditions, and it has elicited the divine and soothed audiences with its sound for hundreds of years, and continues this tradition today. In 2025, they have taken their distinct place, these ten flautists, blazing a trail with the legacy of the Indian flute.
1. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is a living legend and has been the face of Indian flute music for several decades. With his soulful renditions and with his privileged command of the Hindustani classical tradition, he has continued to leave audiences around the world in awe. His unique style and musical genius are now a national treasure.
2. Pandit Ronu Majumdar
Ronu Majumdar is known for bridging tradition with experience. Having an extremely powerful command of the bansuri and taking risks with fusion music, he has been collaborating with top artists all over the world of music. His energetic performances and teaching influence make him one of the most vital figures in Indian classical music today.
3. Shashank Subramanyam
Shashank Subramanyam is a celebrated flautist from the Carnatic tradition recognised for rapid-fire improvisation, technical virtuosity and innovation. Shashank connected the classical South Indian genre of music to various music of the world, moving the boundaries of the flute into a world audience.
4. T. R. Mahalingam (Mali)
Mali is no longer alive, but his influence is retained in 2025. Mali is considered one of the greatest Carnatic flautists who transformed the instrument through expressive and emotive melodies, often resembling vocal performance. Many of today’s flautists keep him as their source of inspiration.
5. N. Ramani
N. Ramani is a disciple of Mali. He brought refinement and lyrical beauty to the Carnatic flute, and popularised it by radio and television, plus international concert tours he executed and participated in. He has a legacy of disciples and recordings.
6. Pandit Raghunath Prasanna
Pandit Raghunath Prasanna comes from Varanasi, and he was known for merging bansuri style with techniques drawn from shehnai playing, providing an innovative style of play, and his own unique descendant family of musicians follows in his footsteps.
7. Pandit Raghunath Seth
A true innovator, Pandit Raghunath Seth took the traditional flute and added additional holes to it. By variegating its range, it opened further possibilities for performances and compositions. He is credited with providing a new dimension and infusion of energy to flute music in Hindi films and also in classical music.
8. Naveen Kumar
Naveen Kumar is one of the most recognisable flute players in contemporary Indian music and is perhaps best known for his film music. With his signature melodies and custom hybrid flute, Naveen has constructed timeless musical moments and has contributed to the flute’s resurgence among younger players.
9. Rajendra Prasanna
Rajendra carries on the Prasanna family lineage and is also famous for playing bansuri and shehnai. His calm demeanour and deeply expressive performance on the bansuri, especially in classical music, carries on the tradition of Varanasi’s heritage into modern day.
10. Sikkil Sisters – Kunjumani & Neela
The Sikkil Sisters elevated the prominence of the flute as a duo in Carnatic music. With their synchronised lines and grace, they elevated the status of the flute in South India, and the spillover effects of their activity have changed the classical music landscape.
Conclusion
These flautists, from iconic classics to progressive contemporary, have not only kept the essence of Indian music alive but also enhanced it. As we head into 2025, their artistry lives on and will continue to reach many generations, making the Indian flute an everlasting voice of melody and emotion.
