Jatindra Biswas's Flutes

About

Shrimoddi village in Homna upazila, Cumilla, is known as the 'flute village': for about 200 years families here have made flutes from muli bamboo, and at least 40 families now make 14 kinds. Jatindra Chandra Biswas (70) and his wife Rina Rani Biswas have made flutes for many years; Jatindra learned from his father Bhagaban Biswas, and his three daughters learned from him. Flute-making supports his household. They bring muli bamboo by truck from Fatikchhari, Sitakunda and Mirsarai in Chattogram, cut and dry it, bore holes with heated rods and paint designs before selling. The couple make decorated flutes that go through NGO exporters to Singapore, Britain, Japan, Canada, Germany, France, the USA and other countries. In the month of Chaitra traders from Dhaka's Chawkbazar and across the country come to the village to buy, and sales rise for Boishakhi and other fairs.

Products and services

• Decorated flute

  Made for export

• Mohon flute

  Tk 8 / piece

  Artisans' wholesale price in 2023

• Mouth flute

  Tk 6 / piece

  Artisans' wholesale price in 2023

• Transverse flute (arbanshi)

Prices as given by the owner; ask before you buy.

Address and hours

To learn or to work here

• Visitors welcome