Madhu Vamsi, 32. 2^5.
Bamboo. ‘green gold’. Evergreen perennial flowering plants – some 1400 species – of Bambusoideae subfamily within the grass family Poaceae. Native to warm and moist tropical and to warm temperate climates – East Asia including China, Japan; Australia, India, Himalayas. Small numbers in Africa, Americas. Both cultivated and wild. Rapid growth and tolerance for marginal land, make bamboo a good candidate for afforestation, carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. One hectare of bamboo absorbs approximately 17 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the environment yearly, making bamboo forest an asset for carbon absorption. Bamboo demands a lesser quantity of water and can grow in diverse climates, making it a crop suitable for farmers in water-scarce areas. Bamboo is used for building materials; as a food source; as wood, furniture, utensils, baskets, mats, crafts; as fibre, textiles/cloth, paper; pens; weapons; paintings; flutes.
Bamboo economy size in India is more than Rs. 25,000 Crore and is growing faster than inflation rate. 136 species on 14M Ha. India is the second largest bamboo producer of the world, with the largest bamboo area in the world. 2M artisans are engaged in this economy. As bamboo is classified as grass, lots of restrictions on harvesting et al have been eliminated.
Flute is a member of a family of musical instruments in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, producing sound with a vibrating column of air. Flutes produce sound when the player’s air flows across an opening. A musician who plays the flute is a flautist or flutist. The bamboo flute, bamboo cross flute, bansuri, murali, vamsi, venu, pavo. With 4-8 finger holes and one embouchure hole. A flute produces sound when a stream of air directed across a hole in the instrument creates a vibration of air at the hole.
Flute is associated with Krsna. Its enchanting melodies draw all beings. Its irresistible pull awakens love, towards liberation. It symbolizes humility, simplicity, and a state of being open to guidance. Venu – a small flute, around six inches long, with a high, sharp sound produced from six holes. Murali – an 18-inch flute with a hole at the end and four holes on the body, creating an enchanting sound. Vamsi (Bansuri) – 15 inch long flute with nine holes with its melody transcending cosmic boundaries. Longer flutes such as Mahānanda, Sanmohinī, Akarrshini, and Anandini (Vamsuli) are also there. Flute’s music can lead to freedom and inner harmony. It symbolizes complete surrender and detachment.
Music can take us far in the mental, emotional, and spiritual realms. In the physical realm, can we travel? To experience. Can we go through experiential travels, walks, conversations, observations, and reflections? In nature. In the Himalayas, mountains, hills, ghats, valleys, forests, landscapes, biodiversity, treks, views, serene villages, communities. Rivers, waterfalls, reservoirs, lakes, seas. Being in harmony with nature. Cultural immersions, living, dance, music, heritage, crafts, livelihoods-living exposure. Civil society, community action efforts, community collectives, individual enterprises, support organizations, networks, forums, platforms. Can we move a bit, stretch a bit, more, walk a bit every day? 7,000 steps? Joyfully, consistently, notwithstanding fitness.
Yes, we can. If we coexist, flowing. Being in step. In N? samskaarayoga for 7L.