Indian musical instruments
Encyclopedia
Indian musical instruments can be broadly classified into four categories, mainly classical, western and folk. See Carnatic music
and Hindustani music.
The instruments are further sub-classified into the type based on the science behind the same.
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
and Hindustani music.
The instruments are further sub-classified into the type based on the science behind the same.
Plucked String Instruments of India
- Bulbul TarangBulbul tarangA bulbul tarang literally "waves of nightingales", alternately Indian banjo is a string instrument from India and Pakistan which evolved from the Japanese Taishōgoto.The instrument employs two sets of strings, one set for drone, and one for melody...
- DotarDotaraThe dotara is a two or four or some times five stringed musical instrument resembling more to mandolin than a guitar...
, Dotora, or Dotara. - EktaraEktaraEktara is a one-string instrument used in Bangladesh, India, Egypt, and Pakistan.thumb||EktaraIn origin the ektara was a regular string instrument of wandering bards and minstrels from India and is plucked with one finger...
- Getchu Vadyam or Gettuvadyam or Gethu Vadyam or Jhallari
- Gopichand or Gopiyantra or Khamak
- GottuvadhyamGottuvadhyamThe chitravina The chitravina The chitravina (also known as chitra veena, chitraveena, chitra vina, hanumad vina, or mahanataka vina, is a 20 or 21-string fretless lute Carnatic music played mainly in South India today, though its origins can be traced back to Bharata's Natya Shastra, where it is...
or Chitravina - Katho
- Rabab
- SantoorSantoorThe santoor is an ancient stringed musical instrument, native to Kashmir and Iran. It is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer often made of walnut, with seventy two strings. The special-shaped mallets are lightweight and are held between the index and middle fingers...
- SarodSarodThe sarod is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in Indian classical music. Along with the sitar, it is the most popular and prominent instrument in the classical music of Hindustan...
- SitarSitarThe 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
- SurbaharSurbaharSurbahar , sometimes known as bass sitar, is a plucked string instrument used in the Hindustani classical music of North India. It is closely related to sitar, but it has a lower tone. Depending on the instrument's size, it is usually pitched two to five whole steps below the standard sitar, but...
- Surshringar
- Swarabat
- Swarmandal
- TamburaTamburaThe tambura, tanpura, or tambora is a long-necked plucked lute . The body shape of the tambura somewhat resembles that of the sitar, but it has no frets – only the open strings are played to accompany other musicians...
- TumbiTumbiThe Tumbi or Toombi is a traditional North Indian instrument from Punjab. The tumbi was invented and popularized by the renowned folk-singer of Punjab "Lal Chand Yamla Jatt". In the 1960s, 70s and 80s most of the Punjabi singers used the Tumbi...
- Tuntuna
- Magadi Veena
- Mohan VeenaMohan veenaThe Mohan veena is a stringed musical instrument used in Indian classical music. It derives its name from its inventor Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt...
- Nakula Veena
- Rudra VeenaRudra veenaSee also veenaThe rudra veena is a large plucked string instrument used in Hindustani classical music. It is an ancient instrument rarely played today...
- Saraswati VeenaSaraswati veenaThe Saraswati veena is an Indian plucked string instrument. It is named after the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who is usually depicted holding or playing the instrument. Also known as raghunatha veena is used mostly in Carnatic Indian classical music...
- Vichitra VeenaVichitra veenaThe vichitra veena is a plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music. It is similar to the Carnatic gottuvadhyam . It has no frets and is played with a slide.-The structure:...
Bowed string instruments of India
- ChikaraChikaraChikara may refer to:*力, , the Japanese word meaning power, capability, or influence* Chikara, a Shona word meaning "carnivore"* Chikara - A stringed instrument from India.*Chikara-mizu , a ritual at the beginning of a sumo match...
- Dilruba
- EsrajEsrajThe esraj is a string instrument found in two forms throughout the north, central, and east regions of India. It is a young instrument by Indian terms, being only about 200 years old. The dilruba is found in the north, where it is used in religious music and light classical songs in the urban areas...
- Kamaicha
- Mayuri Vina or TausTaus (instrument)The taus is a bowed string instrument from the north and central India, as well as from the Punjab. Taus was the work of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji . From this instrument originates the lighter dilruba. It has a peacock body sound box and a neck with 20 heavy metal frets...
- OnavilluOnavilluThe Onavillu is a simple, short bow-shaped musical instrument. Its name may come from "Onam" and "Villu", since it is used in dances in Kerala during the Onam festival, and Villu means bow...
- PenaPenaPena may refer to:y* Danny Pena , American soccer player* Marius Pena , Romanian soccer player* Paul Pena , American singer* Pena National Palace* Pena , Brazilian soccer player...
or BanaBanaBana may refer to:*Term for the Fali people, especially in Nigeria* Bana, Gabon* Bana, Guinea* Bana , a village in Rajasthan state of India* Bana , popular balladeer from Cape Verde* Bana, Hungary, village in Hungary...
- RavanahathaRavanahathaThe ravanahatha is a bowed fiddle popular in Western India. It is believed to have originated among the Hela civilisation of Sri Lanka in the time of King Ravana. The bowl is made of cut coconut shell, the mouth of which is covered with goat hide. A dandi, made of bamboo, is attached to this shell...
- SarangiSarangiThe Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of India which is originated from Rajasthani folk instruments. It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition...
- SarindaSarindaA sarinda is a stringed Indian folk musical instrument similar to lutes or fiddles. It is played with a bow and has three strings. The bottom part of the front of its hollow wooden soundbox is covered with animal skin...
- Tar Shehnai
- ViolinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
Flute
- Alghoza - double flute
- BansuriBansuriThe bansuri is a transverse alto flute of Bangladesh, India and Nepal made from a single hollow shaft of bamboo with six or seven finger holes. An ancient musical instrument associated with cowherds and the pastoral tradition, it is intimately linked to the love story of Krishna and Radha, and is...
- Bombashi or Bommbanshi
- Pullanguzhal
- VenuVenuThe venu is a bamboo transverse flute used in the Carnatic music of South India. Although it is often called Carnatic flute or simply flute in English, venu is the instrument's ancient Sanskrit name...
(Carnatic flute)
Membranophones
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Pakhavaj The pakhavaj, pakhawaj, pakuaj, pakhvaj or pakavaj is an Indian barrel-shaped, two-headed drum, the North Indian equivalent to the Southern mridangam.... Pambai The pambai or pamba is a pair of cylindrical drums used in temple festivals and folk music in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, India.There is a community in southern Andhra who specialize in playing this instrument: the Pambalas.... - unit of two cylindrical drums Panchamukha vadyam The Panchamukha Vadyam is a drum from India. It is a metal drum with five faces , named after the faces of Siva: Sadyojatam, Isanam, Tatpurusham, Aghoram and Vamadevam. The diameter of the central face is at a slightly larger than those of the peripheral faces. The instrument is played with both... Tabla The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres... Tamak' The tamak' is a stick-struck double-headed drum of the Santal people of India. The body of the drum is made from metal and shaped like a large bowl. The head of the drum is usually cowhide and 14-18 inches in diameter. The player strikes the drum with a pair of drum sticks... Thavil The thavil or tavil is a barrel shaped drum from South India. It is used in temple, folk and Carnatic music, often accompanying the nadaswaram. The thavil and the nadaswaram are essential ingredients of traditional festivals and ceremonies in South India.The thavil consists of a cylindrical shell... Urumee The urumee is a double-headed hourglass-shaped drum from the state of Tamil Nadu, South India. Two skin heads are attached to a single hallow, often intricately carved wooden shell. The preferred wood is jackwood, although other wood may be used... Udukai The udukai is a drum used in folk music and prayers in South India. This comes in the Carnatic classical music of India.The Damru in the hands of Lord Shiva is also referred to as Udukkai.... |
Frame drums
- Daff, duff, daf or duf - medium or large frame drum without jingles, of persian origin
- Dimdi or dimri - small frame drum without jingles
- KanjiraKanjiraThe kanjira, khanjira or ganjira, a South Indian frame drum, is an instrument of the tambourine family. It is used primarily in concerts of Carnatic music as a supporting instrument for the mridangam...
- small frame drum with one jingle - Kansi - small without jingles
- Parai thappuThappuFor thappu hand drum, see patayani thappu.The thappu, thapu, dappu or parai drum is a frame drum of India.It consists of a circular wood frame with one end closed with cow skin membrane and the other end open. Thappu is played with two sticks, being one larger and thinner than the other one...
- medium frame drum played with two sticks - Patayani thappuPatayani thappuFor thappu stick drum, see thappu.Patayani thappu is an Indian frame drum with a wooden rim covered with leather on one side. It is played with the hands, as opposed to parai thappu, that is played with sticks...
- medium frame drum played with hands
Idiophones
- Chimpta - a fire tong with brass jingles
- ChengilaChengilaThe chengila or cennala is a percussion instrument of India. It is a type of gong that helps the singer keep time in many traditional art forms of Kerala. A ringing sound is produced when it is struck with a stout wand when hung freely, while a flat tone is produced when it is in contact with the...
- ElathalamElathalamElathalam, or Ilathalam, is a metallic musical instrument which resembles a miniature pair of cymbals. This instrument from Kerala in southern India is completely made out of bronze and has two pieces in it....
- GhatamGhatamThe ghaṭam is a percussion instrument used in the Carnatic music of South India. Its analogue in Rajasthan is known as the madga and pani mataqa "water jug"....
and Matka - GhungrooGhungrooA Ghungroo, also known as Ghunghroo or Ghunghru or Salangai is one of many small metallic bells strung together to form Ghungroos, a musical anklet tied to the feet of classical Indian dancers. The sounds produced by Ghungroos vary greatly in pitch depending on their metallic composition and size...
- KhartalKhartalA khartal or kartal is a percussion instrument of India.1. Kartals . It consist of a pair of wooden blocks with jingles or crotales . One pair is used in one hand of the musician. These pieces can be clapped together at high speeds to make fast complex beats.2. Kartals ...
- Manjira or jhanj or tala
- lithophone SankarjangSankarjangSankarjang , Orissa, India is an archaeological site near Angul, a former cemetery and settlement with large, splendid worked stones...
- Melodic
- Jal tarangJal tarangThe Jal Tarang , Jaltarang, Jal-tarang, Jal-yantra, Jalatarangam or Jalatharangam, is an Indian melodic percussion instrument. It consists of a set of ceramic bowls tuned with water...
, ceramic bowls with water - Kanch tarang, a type of glass harpGlass harpA glass harp is an instrument made of upright wine glasses....
- Kashta tarang, a type of xylophoneXylophoneThe xylophone is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars struck by mallets...
- Loh tarangLoh tarangThe loh tarang is a melodic percussion instrument. It consists of a set of iron circular plates, of different sizes, held in a frame. Each plate is pitched to a note and they are struck with sticks on each hand. 'Tarang' literally means waves.-References:...
, a set of metallic plates
- Jal tarang
Sound Samples
Sound Samples of Indian Instruments (non-commercial page) Courtesy of www.superbrass.comExternal links
- I-Soft Sangeet Research on Indian & Pakistani music
- Indian Instruments - Chandrakantha.com's extensive treatment on the musical instruments of India