Flautist designs hybrid musical instrument; applies for patent

An engineer from the city has created a one-of-a-kind musical instrument that combines the Veena and the flute.Vinayak S Honnavar is also
Flautist designs hybrid musical instrument; applies for patent

BENGALURU : An engineer from the city has created a one-of-a-kind musical instrument that combines the Veena and the flute.Vinayak S Honnavar is also an established flutist of Indian classical music and has filed a patent for his unique and indigenously designed invention. He has named the hybrid musical instrument as the ‘Tarbansi or Tanu Veena’.A mechanical engineer by profession, Vinayak says his expertise in the field helped him to create this instrument. Elaborating about it, he says, “Tarbansi is a balanced combination of two forms of musical instruments Tanti/Taar (string instrument) and Sushira /Basni (wind instrument). Blending of this two radically different produces the tonal quality which creates different sounds.”   

The instruments has four main parts – flute,  soundboard, strings and tuning pegs. “It has been designed in a simple form to make sure it does not disturb the original structure of the flute,” he adds. This instrument sounds like sitar and we can easily give emotional touch to the songs, which will be an major part while playing instruments of Indian classical music.Vinay has established his own style of ‘Thaankari’ where the flute is smoothly blown to produce the euphoric effect. He will add more divinity to his performance retaining the Raag Bhaava and magical tone quality in his rendition.

Vinayak is set to be a cultural representative from India at the X World Flutes Festival 2018 to be held in Mendoza, Argentiana from September 19 to 23.  Flutist Praveen Godkhindi had represented India at the II World Flutes Festival in 2010. After a gap of eight years, Vinayak is the second flutist selected from India by the Academic Committee of the X World Flutes Festival.  

This Festival of international reach, invites great representatives from different regions of the world. Each representative is expected to bring a wealth of valuable information through concerts, master classes, workshops, debates, and expositions.   

A journey from a PVC pipe to a unique bansuri
Vinayak’s mother, Lakshmi S Honnavar, was his first music teacher. When he was 10 years old his uncle, B Shankar gave him a flute made of a PVC pipe. With that flute, he started his journey. Later, he was greatly inspired by Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and followed his footsteps. He developed basic skills by himself by listening to programmes in the All India Radio.     Later he had a privilege of learning from renowned artist, Pandit BR Joshi, a disciple of the legendary, Lt Bharatratna Bhimsen Joshi. He mastered both vocal and flute from him. Later he was influenced by the flute maestro Pandit Venkatesh Godkhindi from the Kirana Gharana.  

Going down memory lane, Vinayak recalls, “I come from a middle-class family and lost my father at an early age. My mother was my only support. It became necessary for me to balance my passion with my profession. With the valuable guidance from my gurus, I mastered the instrument at the very young age.” Vinayak’s performance reflects a unique blend - both Gayaki (singing style) and Gatkari Anga’s (instrumental style). 

Achievements  
Vinayak has given a performance at Shri Krishna Sangeeta Vidyalaya Davanagere as a tribute to Pt Bhimsen Joshi for receiving the Bharath Rathna award.   
He has performed in many venues all over India and overseas. He is working as a principal guest artiste at Nirvana Yoga Shaala Mysuru (Mystic school Mysore).

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