From Childhood Dreams to Soothing Ragas in Bangalore

Working at a company like Flipkart in Bangalore, life can get very busy very quickly. My days are usually filled with meetings, deadlines, and the fast-paced energy of the corporate world. It’s a good life, but I felt like something was missing. For a long time, I was just going through the motions of a professional career, focused on the next task at my desk. But deep down, there was a sound I had been carrying in my head for decades. It was a dream that started way back when I was just a young boy, long before I ever thought about software or corporate roles.

My fascination with the flute didn’t start with a classical concert or a scholarly interest. It started with the movies. If you grew up around the time the movie *Hero* came out, you know exactly what I’m talking about. That iconic flute theme—the one played by Jackie Shroff on screen—caught my heart and never let go. As a kid, I honestly thought Jackie Shroff was actually playing that music himself. I looked at him and thought, "I want to be just like that." I wanted to hold that simple piece of bamboo and make people feel something. But life has a way of moving you in different directions. Studies, exams, and building a career took over, and for many years, that dream stayed tucked away in a corner of my mind.

Finally, not too long ago, I decided it was time. I realized that if I didn't pursue this now, I might never do it. I finally had the opportunity to learn, and I took it. But let me tell you, the reality of learning an instrument is very different from the movies.

The biggest test of my character came when I had to transition from the straight flute to the side-blown flute. When you play a straight flute, it feels somewhat natural. But the moment I picked up a side flute, everything changed. I suddenly felt like I had no idea what I was doing. The way you have to hold your arms, the way your fingers have to stretch over the holes, and the specific way you have to blow—it all felt impossible. There were days when I sat there, looking at the flute, feeling a deep sense of self-doubt. I would ask myself, "Manish, are you really going to be able to do this? Maybe you started too late. Maybe your fingers aren't long enough." It was physically uncomfortable and mentally exhausting.

That period required more patience than I ever thought I possessed. I had to learn how to breathe all over again. I had to train my muscles to stay relaxed while holding a position that felt completely foreign. But I chose to stay patient. I realized that growth isn't a straight line; it’s a slow process of tiny adjustments. I stuck with it, overcoming the awkwardness one day at a time. Now, looking back, I am so happy I didn't let that frustration win. The patience I kept during those difficult weeks is exactly what brought me to where I am today.

What kept me going during those hard phases? It was a mix of things. I had this deep desire and a real zeal to finally fulfill my childhood dream. But more than that, I made a conscious decision: I was not going to quit. I told myself that I wouldn't stop just because it was hard. I started to look at the challenge differently. Instead of seeing it as an impossible task, I realized it was just a set of small problems I could solve. I kept telling myself that this wasn't as difficult as my mind was making it out to be. My determination became stronger than my doubt.

The way I feel now when I play is almost unbelievable compared to when I started. In the beginning, I used to struggle just to play the basic "Sa Re Ga Ma" on a simple straight flute. I remember how tightly I used to grip the instrument, as if it were going to fly away. Today, it’s a completely different story. I can comfortably play several Ragas on the side flute. I’ve learned that the flute is actually very light; you don't need to squeeze it. Now, I hold it gently with just my fingers, and it feels natural. It’s funny because I used to think the flute was one of the hardest things to master, but now that I’ve found my rhythm, it feels like one of the most natural and easiest instruments to learn.

If you are reading this and you are in the middle of your own struggle—maybe you're trying to learn an instrument, or maybe you're chasing a different dream—I want to tell you something friend to friend: please, do not give up. Never give up on something you have already started. When you feel like quitting, I want you to stop and ask yourself one question: "Why did I start this in the first place?"

Think back to that original spark. What was the reason you wanted to do this? What did you want to achieve? When you find that answer, all the confusion and the "queries" in your mind will start to disappear. You just have to believe in yourself. Look around at all the people who can already do what you are trying to do. If they can play it, why can't you? You are the only person who gets to decide your potential. If you decide you can do it, you will. Believe me, the answer will always be "yes, I can."

One of the most surprising things about this journey has been how it changed the way people see me. I didn't expect the flute to change my social life, but it did. When I first started practicing at home, my neighbors weren't very happy. I used to get complaints. They would tell me, "These are very unpleasant sounds coming from your house! How long is it going to take you to learn? It’s disturbing us." It was a bit embarrassing, to be honest.

But I kept practicing. And then, something shifted. As I moved onto the side flute and started playing Ragas and parts of real songs, the complaints stopped. Now, those same neighbors tell me how much they enjoy hearing the soothing sounds coming from my home. The flute is such a sacred and beautiful instrument; it brings a level of respect that I never anticipated. I see people who play the guitar or the drums, and they get respect too, but there is something special about the flute. It’s hard to explain, but when people see you playing it well, they look at you differently.

The flute has given me a sense of peace and a kind of respect in my community that I never saw coming. It started as a way to copy a movie hero, but it turned into something that has truly enriched my life. I am no longer just a professional working in Bangalore; I am a flute player fulfilling a lifelong dream.

— Manish Tripathi from Bangalore