--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-venu' title: 'What is a venu?' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/user/fce96177fd193d3a' date: '2026-10-19T18:59:40+00:00' updated: '2026-10-25T10:08:58+00:00' type: website summary: 'The venu is the eight-hole flute of Carnatic music, which grew from a folk instrument into a vehicle for raga and gamaka.' tags: - 'Instruments & artforms' image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg' 'image:type': image/svg+xml 'image:alt': KalaSudha --- FAQ · Instruments & artforms # What is a venu? Updated 25 October 2026 The **[venu](/en-in/instrument/venu)**, also called the Carnatic flute or pullanguzhal, is the eight-hole flute of South Indian Carnatic music. Sa is fingered with the first two holes covered, and the eighth hole stays open except in special fingerings; the Horniman Museum catalogues it on one venu as a hole for tuning. The Music Academy traces how the flute grew from a folk and dance instrument into one that carries the ragas and gamakas of Carnatic music. Was this answer helpful? [ ](/en-in/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-1020&destination=/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-venu) [ ](/en-in/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-1020&destination=/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-venu) Thanks for your feedback! ## Related pages 1 page mentions this question ### Instruments (1) - [ Venu The venu is the side-blown bamboo flute of Carnatic music, with eight finger holes and no keys. Its technique rests on gamaka through breath and finger control… ](/en-in/instrument/venu) [ Previous question What is a tavil? ](/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-tavil) [ Next question What is a vichitra veena? ](/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-vichitra-veena)