The bansuri is the Indian transverse flute.  It has an easy capacity for portamento and glissando, making pitch envelope shaping and tuning a constantly evolving process.  In my estimation, it is really the 'singer 'amongst flutes.    It is a dream of mine to become adept at playing raga one day.  Until then, I  mimic and otherwise do my own thing.  

For more information on bansuri, check out bansuri master Steve Gorn's site.

http://www.stevegorn.com