---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-a-venu-and-a-bansuri'
title: 'What is the difference between a venu and a bansuri?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T18:59:48+00:00'
updated: '2026-10-25T10:09:12+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'The Carnatic venu has eight finger holes, with Sa on the first two, while the Hindustani bansuri has six or seven.'
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  - 'Instruments & artforms'
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  site_name: KalaSudha
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  'image:type': image/svg+xml
  'image:alt': KalaSudha
---
 

 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is the difference between a venu and a bansuri?

 Updated 25 October 2026

 

The **[venu](/en-in/instrument/venu)** of Carnatic music has eight finger holes, with Sa fingered on the first two holes closed. The Hindustani bansuri has six finger holes in line with the blow hole, and Britannica describes six or seven. On the venu the eighth hole stays open except in special fingerings that cover all eight; the Horniman Museum lists it on one venu as a tuning hole.



 

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## Related pages

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###  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)
 
  

 

 

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