11 & 12 April 2025
One of my goals during this trip—something I’d had in mind for a very long time—was to learn how to play the Indian flute. The bansuri is a simple bamboo flute, played sideways like the silver flute, but with different notes and techniques. I had hoped to find a teacher while traveling through India, as I’ve always loved flutes and fell in love with the bansuri during my first trip here. I’ve been asking around, but no luck… until yesterday!
Walking around Tapovan, there are hundreds of noticeboards crowded with flyers for yoga, meditation, breathwork, cacao ceremonies, creative events, retreats, dance parties, full moon or new moon circles, music lessons, and so much more. Glancing at yet another board filled with brightly coloured ads, my eye caught something about a flute. I had been ignoring the rest, but this one grabbed my attention immediately.
There was a flute concert/meditation happening at the Devi Music Ashram last night—and I knew I had to go. The flyer said the performer wasn’t Indian, but my intuition told me it would be worth it. After a quiet day spent at the hostel—mostly catching up on online training and relaxing—I made my way over to the ashram. Excitedly, I sat down and waited for the flute player to arrive. A few others were also quietly seated on cushions, and the atmosphere was calm and meditative.
Yahor arrived and greeted us, and I instantly liked him. Originally from Belarus, he’s been playing bansuri for over fifteen years, spending half his time here in India performing and teaching.
Another musician joined him. The bansuri is often accompanied by tabla—a traditional set of two jembe-like drums. In the background, you could also hear another instrument, possibly a sitar. After introducing himself, Yahor began playing the first evening raga (song). I had goosebumps. This man can truly play the flute. His fingers moved like magical butterflies over the notes, and we were swept away with nostalgic Indian tunes, calling us into ancient places and memories.
If only I could play like that.
He may not be an Indian teacher, but he is definitely the teacher I want to learn from.
After the performance, I went to introduce myself and we agreed that I would start lessons with him on Monday. I’m super excited. Another childhood dream will finally come true.
Coming back to the hostel, I was welcomed by more beautiful notes floating through the air. Local artists were singing traditional Indian songs. Some of these guys can really sing—and when they love a particular song, singing it from the depths of their hearts, it’s something that moves me to tears.
How much I love music… and the magic it creates, in any place, at any time, with any people, anywhere in the world.
Listening to them sing, I was reminded of a time when I was only a pre-teen. I used to flip through the music channels on TV, listening to songs in all those beautiful, exotic foreign languages, wishing that I was there, in person. And here I was, in real life, watching beautiful foreigners sing beautiful tunes.
It’s a moment forever filed into that most precious memory box.
Today was another lazy day. I attended another yoga class at Divine Circle and went for a walk down to the Ganga. Breakfast was a bowl of freshly cut strawberries and the usual masala chai.
Later, I wandered in the opposite direction. A few days ago, I’d spotted a tiny little café I had been wanting to try, and today seemed like the perfect moment. It’s a cozy spot—boho-style cushions on the floor and a menu full of comfort food. It was a good place to hang out for a while and simply enjoy the peacefulness around me.
Since coming to Rishikesh, I had decided that this time would be a time of rest and recharging. While I still have a few things to work on each day, I don’t have to worry about structured working hours or heavy responsibilities.
I didn’t realise how much my soul needed this…
until I actually sat down and rested.
We so often put ourselves last, instead of making sure we’re nourished—on all levels of our being.
