Three Generations Keep India's Flute-Making Art Alive

Mohammad Shafiq grew up in a workshop filled with bamboo and the sweet sound of bansuris being born.

In Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, his family has spent three generations turning simple bamboo into musical instruments that travel from local festivals to concert halls in America. Shafiq runs Shahji Flute Maker, a craft passed down from his grandfather that has become part of his identity.

"This work was always around us," Shafiq says. "We did not choose it—it became part of us."

The craft begins with selecting the right bamboo. For premium bansuris, Shafiq searches for tubes that are perfectly round, smooth, and free from cracks. Lower quality bamboo goes to basic flutes sold at fairs, while the finest pieces become tuned instruments for serious musicians.

"Material decides the music," he explains. "If the bamboo is not right, the sound will not stay steady."

Each flute requires precise measurements before a single hole is drilled. A 19-inch flute with a 19-millimeter diameter produces a specific tonal range, so positioning must be calculated exactly. Shafiq tests every instrument with a tuning meter, adjusting until the sound rings clear.

Women artisans add decorative silk thread binding to the finished flutes. This step brings both beauty and additional income to families connected to the craft.

The Ripple Effect

The tradition is creating waves beyond Pilibhit's borders. Through Uttar Pradesh's One District One Product initiative, flute makers now access loans and exhibitions that connect them to wider markets. Shafiq's instruments reach customers across India and international buyers who request custom scales and specific tunings.

The program helps, but Shafiq knows what really matters. Traditional tools like sharp knives and precise measuring scales create better instruments than heavy machinery ever could.

His flutes have found homes with trained musicians seeking that perfect tone and devotional singers who need reliability. Export channels carry his work to the United States and beyond, each order a testament to sound quality that transcends borders.

For Shafiq, the measure of success is simple. "If the bansuri gives a mithi awaaz—a sweet, melodious tone—people return." That sweetness keeps customers coming back and keeps his children learning the same skills he mastered as a boy.

In a world where traditional crafts often fade away, the workshops of Pilibhit hum with the sound of bamboo being transformed into music, one careful measurement at a time.