Instruments INDIA

Explore the fascinating genre of Indian music through our archive of images, sounds and videos. Instruments India is a rich and varied resource, and you can discover the background of each instrument, how it is played, and the type of setting it is normally played in.

If you are a beginner, student, expert or music lover, you can now enjoy a preview to a performance, find out more about a concert you have just seen, or get some background information on instruments in different settings.

Instruments India is the result of a partnership between MILAPFEST and LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY, and the archive of instruments is a dynamic resource, which will grow on an ongoing basis.

Welcome to our website, and enjoy your discovery!

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The Instruments

The Mandolin

The violin

The violin used in Indian classical music is similar to the one used in Western classical traditions. In Carnatic music, the tuning is the same. The tuning is slightly modified for the Hindustani violin, but the playing style remains the … ›

The Veena

The veena is among the oldest of Indian musical instruments. From the references to Vedic writings, it can date back to around the first millennium B.C. Temple sculptures from the 2nd century B.C. show a type of veena being played. … ›

The Udukkai

The udukkai is an hourglass shaped, membranous drum used in devotional and folk music throughout India. The udukkai is played with the hand and the pitch may be altered by tightening the lacing in the middle. It is made of … ›

The Thavil

The thavil is a percussion instrument used for accompanying the nadaswaram, a wind instrument used in Hidu religious music and as a solo instrument in Carnatic music. It consists of a barrel shaped drum carved out of jackfruit wood, with … ›

The Tar Shehnai

The Tar Shehnai is an esraj (bowed string instrument) with an added mechanical amplifier. This amplifier fixed to the sound board of the instrument is modeled on the gramophone sound box to project a stronger, more directional sound. The amplifier … ›

The Tanpura

The tanpura is an instrument that acts as the reference chord in Indian classical music. It has a resonator and 4 strings, but no frets, as the notes are always played whole. The name is derived from tana or musical … ›

The tabla

The tabla is the percussion instrument most commonly used in north Indian classical music. The instrument consists of two drums, called bayan (left) and dayan (right) as per the hand they are most commonly played with. The drums consist of … ›