In the traditional bamboo flute of North India used to be a soprano of fourteen inches long with 6 holes burnt out corresponding to the notes of the Kalyan that (one of the modes). Pannalal Ghosh created a larger instrument dedicated to Hindustani classical music, with a seventh finger hole to extends the range of the instrument and allows a more accurate rendition of many ragas

The holes are in alignment; except for the last one (placed differently depending on whether the flute is to be played by right-handed or left-handed musicians). Some musicians play the last hole with the help of a bamboo key (in case of very long flutes)