A common type of Indian flute, typically made of bamboo or reed.

There are two varieties; transverse and fipple. The transverse variety (shown) is nothing more than a length of bamboo with holes cut into it. This is the preferred flute for classical music because the embouchure gives added flexibility and control. The fipple variety is found in the folk and filmi styles but seldom used for serious music, as the absence of any embouchure limits the flexibility of the instrument.

The bansuri is used in the North Indian system. It typically has 6 holes, but there has been a tendency in recent years to use 7 holes for added flexibility and correctness of pitch in the higher registers. It was previously associated only with folk music, but today it is also found in Hindustani classical, filmi and numerous other genres.

The North Indian bansuri is typically about 14 inches in length, and was traditionally used as a soprano instrument primarily for accompaniment in lighter compositions including film music. The bass variety, which is about 30 inches in length, has now been indispensable in Hindustani classical music for well over half a century.