Finding My Calm with Bansuri

Life in Solapur, Maharashtra, has a certain rhythm to it. For me, life has always been about building a solid foundation. These days, I spend my working hours at the Union Bank of India, dealing with customers, transactions, and the structured world of finance. When I’m not at the bank, I’m usually focused on the stock market. I’ve been an investor for about six years now, methodically building a portfolio and watching how patience pays off in the long run. I like things that make sense—things that follow a logic and reward hard work. But looking back to 2017, when I was in my final year of engineering college, I realize there was a part of me that was waiting for something different, something that didn't involve a screen or a textbook.

Back then, life was simpler but also a bit aimless. It was the time when high-speed Wi-Fi and unlimited mobile data first became common in India. My roommates and I were suddenly floored by this world of endless content. Like most college students, our days revolved around lectures, exams, and then retreating to our room to chill. While we ate our tiffins, we would lean over a phone or a laptop and watch whatever was trending. One of the shows we started watching regularly was the Mahabharat series.

I watched the show to learn about our past and ancient teachings, and I did learn—but the background score is what left a lasting impact. Every time Krishna appeared on screen and that soulful flute melody began to play, I felt a spark. It wasn’t just a nice sound; it was a feeling. That was the first time I seriously thought about learning the bansuri. I didn’t just want to listen to it anymore; I wanted to be the one making that sound.

I didn’t have a teacher, so I did what any student in 2017 did—I went to YouTube. I spent hours searching for tutorials and finally went to a small local shop to buy my very first flute. I had no idea what I was looking for. I just bought the first one I saw.

The beginning was far from the "divine" experience I had imagined. People don't realize that the bansuri is a very difficult instrument for a beginner. For weeks, I struggled just to make a sound. I would blow into the flute until I was lightheaded, and all that would come out was a hissing noise or a sharp, airy whistle. Because the flute I bought from the local shop was of such low quality, it was almost impossible to play. I truly started to doubt myself. I even began to wonder if the flute simply wasn't meant for me and was very close to putting it in a drawer and forgetting about it forever.

Fortunately, I realized my mistake and purchased a good quality flute from a trusted brand. My roommates were great sports about it, too. There were definitely some "sweet clashes" in the room because the initial screeching sounds of a learner are not easy to live with. But even when they were annoyed, they supported me. They saw me practicing every day, and they pushed me to keep going.

I practiced hard enough that I actually performed at our college farewell. It was my first time on stage, playing a song I learned from Harsh Sir’s tutorial. Harsh Sir's YouTube channel has always been my absolute favorite since the beginning of my journey. His notations felt almost perfect—very close to the original songs. The response I got was amazing. People were surprised that an engineering student had picked up such a traditional skill. That applause gave me the confidence to stick with it as I transitioned from college life into the professional world.

A real turning point happened on Mahashivratri in 2020. I started learning the "Om Namah Shivaya" tune in the morning. I was alone in my room, practicing the same few notes over and over. By the afternoon, something shifted. The "flow" finally built up. I wasn't thinking about my finger placement or my breath anymore. I just felt this deep, divine sense of peace. I recorded a video of it—my first ever for YouTube—and I remember feeling a level of satisfaction I hadn't felt before. It wasn't about being the best flute player in the world; it was about the fact that I had created a moment of beauty out of thin air.

Since then, the flute has fundamentally changed how I handle my life. My journey hasn't been a straight line. Because of my studies and work, I’ve lived in five different cities over the last few years. Moving takes time. Settling into a new job takes time. There have been months where my flute sat in its case, untouched, as I got caught up in the routine and responsibilities of life. But no matter how long the pause, I always found my way back to it.

I’ve realized that the lessons I learned from the bansuri apply to everything else I do. When I’m looking at the stock market, I don’t get panicked by the daily ups and downs. I think about the flute. Just like it took me months to get a clean note and years to get a good flow, the stock market requires gradual growth and perseverance. You can't rush a melody, and you can't rush wealth. I look up to my gurus—Harsh Sir and Vivek Singhal ji for the stock market and lifestyle—because they both emphasize the same thing: patience and discipline.

When I hold my flute today, it feels completely different than it did that first day in my room. Back then, it felt like a strange piece of bamboo that wouldn't listen to me. Now, it feels like an extension of my own body. It has become an integral part of who I am. Whether I’m navigating a busy workday or just need a moment to reconnect with myself, the music is always there for me. It serves as a beautiful reminder that even amidst numbers, targets, and bank statements, there is always space to nourish the soul. — Akshay Joshi Solapur, Maharashtra.