MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

CHORDOPHONES
1. Tut (plucked)
• SITAR- This plucked instrument has seven strings: two for the melody, two for the first part of
improvisation, and three for the drone.
• TAMBURA- This is simpler than the sitar. This is not fretted, with only four or sometimes six
strings.
• VINA- This is one of the oldest fretted plucked instruments of Southern India. This has four
strings for the melody and three for the drone.
• SAROD- This is an unfretted plucked string instrument from Southern India. This has four
strings for the melody and two for the drone and rhythm.
2. BETAT (BOWED)
• SARANGI- This is unfretted and has three or four catgut strings and 40 sympathetic strings
played vertically.
• SARINDA- This is similar to sarangi. This is a fiddle with a round or pointed head.
IDIOPHONES
• GHATAM- This is a clay percussion instrument played by striking the body of the pot with the
palm of the hand.
• CHIMPTA- This fire tongs with small jingles made of brass is played by clacking the tongs to
produce a sound.
MEMBRANOPHONES
• MRIDANGAM- This two-headed drum from Southern India is shaped like a barrel about 2-feet
long.
• TABLA- This is a set of two drums used in the North; the larger, made of brass, is called baya;
the smaller, made of wood, is called daya.
AEROPHONES
• NAGASWARAM- This is a double-reed wind instrument with seven holes for the fingers.
• VENU- This transverse flute from Southern India has eight holes.
• BANSURI- This transverse flute from Northern India has six holes and larger than venu in
diameter.
• SHAHNAI- This wooden wind instrument with a brass mouthpiece is used for marriages and
religious purposes.