Instrumental Indian music is generally the basis
of the Hindustani category of Indian classical music. Though instruments are
used in the background during Carnatic performances, they form an important
part of Hindustani music. There are a number of Indian musical instruments that
are classified into 3 categories, which are:
• Stringed instruments: Sitar, tamboora, sarangi, dilurba and veena,
etc.
• Wind instruments: Flute popularly known as bansuri, shehnai, naferi
nagasvaram, etc.
• Percussion instruments: Tabla, pakhawaj, mridangam, dholak, etc.
Here is a brief introduction to the various musical instruments of India:
• Sitar is a stringed instrument and is played with a plectrum worn
on the finger.
• Sarod is a stringed instrument carved from teakwood and is played
with a plectrum generally made from coconut shell. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan is
known for his sarod compositions
• Sarangi is a musical instrument that is played with a bow. I it not
used for solo instrumental performances as it requires a vocalist to complement
its tunes • Tanpura is a stringed instrument that produces the essential
backdrop for all Indian music compositions
• Esraj is a stringed instrument commonly played in the northern region
of India • Santoor is an instrument that originated from Kashmir. Pandit
Shiv Kumar Sharma is known globally for his santoor performances and compositions.
• Veena is an ancient stringed instrument.
• Tabla is the name given to the two-drum set, which is played by musicians.
Pandit Zakir Hussain is amongst the popular contemporary tabla maestros. •
Pakhawaj is a long bodied wooden drum that has both the sides covered in skin.
• Mridangam is similar to the Pakhawaj, with a variant texture at the
two ends. • Dholak is a cylindrical side drum that is made from solid
wood.
• Jal tarang is a water-xylophone that has six china bowls of varying
sizes containing water and is played with two sticks.
• Pung is a Manipuri side drum with its ends covered with varied skins.
• Bansuri is the Indian name for the flute, which is carved from bamboo
• Shehnai is a wind instrument with a tube that widens at the lower
end. This instrument is generally played during celebratory of festive occasions.
