The Soul of Indian Classical Music: A Guide to Its Instruments
An Introduction to Traditional Indian Classical Musical Instruments
India's classical music tradition is one of the oldest and most sophisticated in the world, divided into two distinct styles: Hindustani music from North India and Carnatic music from South India. While both styles share common roots, they have evolved differently over centuries. Hindustani music emphasizes improvisation and slow, gradual progressions of ragas, while Carnatic music is more structured, with a strong focus on compositions (kriti) and intricate rhythmic patterns (talas).
Accompanying these rich traditions is a diverse range of musical instruments, each playing a vital role in shaping the sound and spirit of Indian classical music. Here’s a look at 11 of the most important traditional instruments, spanning both Hindustani and Carnatic styles.
Accompanying these rich traditions is a diverse range of musical instruments, each playing a vital role in shaping the sound and spirit of Indian classical music. Here’s a look at 11 of the most important traditional instruments, spanning both Hindustani and Carnatic styles.
Tanpura
The tanpura is a long-necked, four-stringed instrument that provides a continuous drone, essential for maintaining the pitch in Indian classical performances. It does not play melodies but creates a resonant harmonic base, allowing musicians to stay in tune and enhancing the overall musical experience. The tanpura’s rich overtones give depth to a performance, making it an indispensable component of Indian classical music. It is played by plucking the strings in a continuous cycle, producing a harmonic resonance that blends seamlessly with the main melody.
Tabla
The tabla is perhaps the most well-known percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music. Consisting of two hand drums (the smaller dayan and the larger bayan), the tabla is used for intricate rhythmic accompaniment. The dayan, made of wood, produces high-pitched tones, while the bayan, often made of metal or clay, creates deep, bass sounds. The tabla is capable of producing a wide range of sounds, with complex finger techniques that allow for dynamic rhythmic compositions known as tala cycles.
Mridangam
The mridangam is the main percussion instrument in Carnatic music. This double-headed drum is played horizontally, producing a rich variety of tones that add rhythmic complexity to performances. Made of jackfruit wood with leather drumheads, the mridangam has a unique tonal quality, allowing the performer to play both bass and treble sounds simultaneously. It is essential for maintaining the tempo in Carnatic concerts and plays a crucial role in interactions between percussion and melody.
Sitar
The sitar is a plucked string instrument with a long neck and resonating gourd. It has sympathetic strings that vibrate, producing a distinctive ringing sound. Made famous by virtuosos like Ravi Shankar, the sitar is one of the most iconic instruments of Hindustani classical music. The instrument has curved frets, allowing musicians to glide smoothly between notes, a technique essential for playing ragas. It is played with a wire plectrum called mizrab, producing intricate melodies with shimmering overtones.
Veena
The veena is an ancient stringed instrument with deep roots in Indian music. There are different types, such as the Rudra Veena (Hindustani) and Saraswati Veena (Carnatic). In Carnatic music, it is played with a combination of plucking and finger techniques, producing deeply expressive melodies. The Saraswati Veena, named after the Hindu goddess of wisdom, has a large resonator and fretted fingerboard, giving it a deep, rich sound. The veena’s playing style includes extensive ornamentations such as gamakas (slides and oscillations), adding depth to a performance.
Sarod
The sarod is a fretless string instrument known for its deep, rich tone and smooth slides (meend). It is a key instrument in Hindustani classical music, capable of producing intricate and fast-paced compositions with remarkable clarity. Unlike the sitar, the sarod has a metal fingerboard, allowing for precise intonation and smooth transitions between notes. The use of coconut shell plectrums adds to its dynamic sound, making it a favorite among classical musicians.
Bansuri
The bansuri is a bamboo flute with a soft and expressive tone. It has been a key instrument in Indian music since ancient times, associated with Lord Krishna. Hindustani musicians like Hariprasad Chaurasia have elevated its status to a primary solo instrument. The bansuri’s simple construction—just a piece of bamboo with finger holes—belies its complexity, as it requires skillful breath control to achieve different pitches and expressive ornamentations.
Shehnai
The shehnai is a double-reed wind instrument often played at auspicious occasions and religious ceremonies. It has a bright, piercing tone and is famously linked to Ustad Bismillah Khan, who brought it to the concert stage. Traditionally, the shehnai is played in temples and weddings, symbolizing purity and celebration. The instrument’s unique tonal quality comes from its flared bell at the end, which amplifies its sound.
Santoor
The santoor is a hammered dulcimer with a varying number of strings, often around 100, but differing based on regional and maker-specific designs played with delicate wooden mallets. Originally a folk instrument from Kashmir, it was adapted into Hindustani classical music by Shivkumar Sharma, who pioneered its use in classical ragas. The santoor is played by striking the strings with light wooden hammers, creating a cascading, bell-like sound. The instrument’s rich resonance and ability to produce rapid sequences of notes make it ideal for playing complex melodic passages.
Pakhawaj
The pakhawaj is a barrel-shaped drum that was the predecessor to the tabla. It is primarily used in Dhrupad music, the oldest form of Hindustani classical music. The pakhawaj produces deep, resonant sounds and requires skilled hand techniques to produce rhythmic patterns. Unlike the tabla, which has separate drums, the pakhawaj is a single drum played on both sides, offering a more sustained and robust rhythmic base.
Violin
The violin was introduced to Indian classical music during the colonial era and has since become an integral part of Carnatic and Hindustani traditions. In Carnatic music, it is typically played while sitting cross-legged, with the instrument resting vertically between the player's shoulder and ankle. In Hindustani music, the violin is held more horizontally, similar to its Western counterpart, but adapted to produce the characteristic gamakas (ornamentations) essential to Indian classical styles. The instrument’s ability to mimic the nuances of vocal music makes it a versatile choice for both solo performances and accompaniment. Its rich, expressive tone allows for deep melodic exploration, making it a significant addition to the Indian classical music repertoire.