Literary and musical traditions in ancient Hindustan owe a lot to neighboring Persia- the birthplace of musical instruments. Numerous archaeological findings, ancient drawings and writing scripts point to ancient Persia’s rich music culture and heritage. For instance, artefacts from the Elamite civilization, like harps and lyres found in Susa, reliefs and other rock carvings at Persepolis from the Achaemenid Empire and the Sassanian’s Taq Bostan carvings show musicians playing harps and trumpets during royal ceremonies or hunting. Ancient texts like the Avesta and Shahnameh discuss music’s importance in religious and royal life. Even Greek and Roman historians and travellers noticed ancient Persian musical tradition and wrote about it in their accounts of Persian society.
Gradually, such traditions spread into ancient Hindustan through Central Asia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Northern India, which was a crossroads of ideas and trade, making the region rich in musical scenes that can still be felt even today. There are three main categories of these instruments: wind, string, and percussion.
Wind Instruments (Aerophones)
These instruments produce sound by creating a vibrating air column within a hollow pipe.
Flute – Flutes are woodwind instruments celebrated for their melodic and calming tones, created by the vibration of an air column inside the instrument. They have played a significant role in many Eastern cultures, especially in China and India.
Cranes used to make Jiahu flutes in ancient central China
One of the oldest playable flutes, estimated to be around 9,000, was found in China. In India, the flute is known as the Bansuri, derived from the Hindi words “bans” (bamboo) and “suri” (melody). Thus, “bansuri” translates to “melody of bamboo.” the bansuri is associated with the Hindu god Krishna and holds a prominent place in Indian mythology, art, and music.
Alghoza – It is an integral instrument in folk music in various regions, particularly Punjab, Rajasthan, and Sindh. The instrument consists of two flutes where one flute plays the melody and the other provides a drone. The two flutes are played at a time using circular breathing, meaning using both mouth and nose simultaneously. As a result, a harmonious and rhythmic sound is produced.
Note: A drone, on the other hand, is a continuous sound or note that provides a harmonic foundation for a melody. However, melody is a sequence of notes perceived as a single entity.
Watch Alghoza in action here.
Been (Pungi) – The been (or punji) is also a traditional Indian wind instrument, an integral part of Indian folklore that is frequently associated with snake charmers. Typically it is made from a dried gourd that acts as a resonator, with two bamboo pipes inserted. The instrument is played by blowing air, similar to flutes, except that the lower part of the being is round, and pipes are made of reed. It is believed its distinct and captivating sound mesmerizes snakes. A very similar instrument in China is called hulusi.
Sharnai or Shehnai– Double-reeded wind instrument similar to flute but is gradually broadened at the lower end. One end is wooden, and the other end is metallic. The shehnai is thought to have been developed by improving upon the pungi. It takes a lot of effort to play this instrument. Check this link for one of the famous Shehnai players, Ustad Bismilla Khan, in India.
Narr/Kani – A reed instrument made from hollow reeds with four equidistant holes pierced towards the tail end and about 2-3 feet long, typical in Kachhi, Baluchistan, Iran, and Turkey, associated with themes of love and sorrow.
Borrindo – A hollow clay wind instrument with finger holes, originated in the Indus Valley, present-day Pakistan. It has one primary hole at the top and three secondary holes at the side. To produce musical notes, one blows across the largest hole while manipulating the smaller holes to generate specific tones.
Doneli – The double flute, similar to the alghoza, is used in Persia and Balochistan. The name literally means “two pipes,” where “do” means two and “nali” means pipe in local North Indian languages.
It is made of two reed pipes. One is called a male, and the other is a female pipe. The female reed has ten holes that produce melody, and the male reed has six holes that produce harmony. Both of the pipes are put in the mouth and player inhale from nose and exhale from mouth that circular breathing enables continuity of sound.
Check out Donali and Feroz playing music here.
String Instruments (Chordophones)
These instruments produce sound through vibrating strings.
Sitar– One of the most celebrated instruments in Hindustan (India) is the sitar. It is a plucked string instrument with a long neck and a gourd-shaped body (resonator) and 18-21 strings to produce melodies. The remaining strings resonate with the melodies when plucked, adding depth to the sound. The sitar is one of the Eastern musical instruments that is loved all over the world because of its rich musical notes and melodies and is extensively used in classical Indian music. Many Western singers, such as The Beatles, were greatly influenced by the sitar. This musical instrument is performed both as a solo and in ensemble settings. Check out how The Beatles’ George Harrison took lessons from Ravi Shankar.
Bulbul Tarang (Indian Banjo or Pianolin) – Bulbul Tarang is a string instrument resembling a piano in key structure; its name means “nightingale’s musical notes. The instrument is composed of strings on a board with typewriter-style keys. The strings are plucked with one hand, and the keys are operated with the other. The keys are pressed down to raise the pitch. The strings have multiple sets, including drone, melody
Sarangi—This bowed instrument consists of a skin-covered resonator, typically handcrafted from a single block of wood. It has four goat-gut playing strings and seventeen steel sympathetic strings. This instrument has been widely used across India, especially in North Indian music.
Note: A bowed instrument produces sound by drawing a bow across its strings. The bow is typically made of horsehair stretched between the ends of a stick, and when it comes into contact with the strings, it causes them to vibrate, creating sound.
Surando/Sarinda/Saranda/ Sarod The surando is a traditional folk fiddle from Kutch (Pakistan) and Gujarat. It is played with a horsehair bow called a gaz. The instrument has a heart shape with a rounded back and is decorated with mirrors. The front soundbox is partly covered with animal skin. It usually has eight strings: three for playing melodies, two drone strings, and a few sympathetic strings, most of which are made of steel. The main drone string, known as the “queen string,” is made from sheep gut.
The name “surando” comes from the Persian word surayindah, which means “the one who tunes.” In Pakistan’s frontier region, it is called Saro; in Balochistan, it is known as Saroz. Its rhythmic melodies are similar to the Afghani rubab, and the surando arrived in Hindustan from Central Asia during the late Mughal era.
Tambur/Tanbur / Danburo – The tambur, originating in Mesopotamia, travelled to Northern India via Central Asia, Persia, and Pakistan. Today, it refers to various long-necked string instruments found in Greece, Mongolia, and Siberia. To play, the musician presses one of the six strings while moving the bow with the dominant hand, taking care not to press too hard to prevent damage.
Tumbi – The tumbi, also known as toombi, tumba, or toomba, is a traditional instrument from Punjab, India. It is a high-pitched, single-string instrument often used in Punjabi folk music and has become popular in Western Bhangra music today.
Chang (String) – The chang is an Iranian harp known for its unique sound. Its strings are made from sheep gut, twisted goat hair, and sometimes nylon, giving it a different tone than eastern harps that use metal strings. Historically, changes in medieval Azerbaijan had 18 to 24 strings, depending on their age. Some older versions used sheepskin or goatskin to amplify the sound, making them closer to eastern harps, but the chang’s unique sound is usually preserved.
To play the change, musicians use their right hand to pluck the strings with their fingernails or picks while their left hand presses down on the strings to create effects like glissandos and vibratos. Nowadays, not many change players are left, as it differs from other Iranian musical instruments. Those who want to learn the change must start from scratch since prior knowledge of playing other local instruments does not apply to this one. Chang players often have to relearn techniques specifically suited to the instrument.Percussion Instruments (Membranophones & Idiophones)
These produce sound by vibrating a membrane or the body of the instrument.
Chimta—The chimta is a traditional percussion instrument used in Punjabi folk music. It consists of metal tongs with jingles that create a distinctive sound when struck together. The chimta is played by holding it in one hand and striking the jingles with the other to produce rhythmic patterns that enhance folk songs and dances.
Daff—The daff is a traditional frame drum used in Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian music. It typically consists of a circular wooden frame with a single drumhead made of animal skin. Musicians play the daff by striking the drumhead with their hands or fingers, creating a rhythmic and vibrant sound that complements both vocal and instrumental performances.
Daffali – It is just a smaller version of the daff.
Dapphu is another name for Daff, Thappu /Dapphu or Parai in Tamil Nadu, and Daff in Maharashtra.
The dapphu, a drum made from cow leather, symbolizes the struggles of the Dalit community in India. Historically, Dalits have faced stigma and marginalization due to their roles in “impure” tasks like leather tanning and handling animal carcasses. Unfortunately, the art of playing the dapphu is fading as many in the community wish to distance themselves from their caste identity.
Dhol – The dhol is a traditional drum used in South Asian music, especially Punjabi and Indian folk music. It has two sides, one bigger than the other, and is made of wood. It is played with two sticks, creating lively rhythmic beats. It is important in celebrations like weddings and festivals and is often played with dances like Bhangra and Gidda.
Dholak – Similar to Dhol, a Two-headed hand drum from India.
Kartal—Kartal is a traditional percussion instrument used in Indian folk and devotional music. It is made up of two pieces of wooden blocks or metal cymbals clapped together to create a rhythmic sound.
Naghara—The nagara is a traditional drum commonly used in South Asian and Middle Eastern music. It is a big drum with one head, usually made of wood or clay, and has animal skin stretched over the top. When struck with hands or sticks, the nagara produces deep, resonant beats.
Ghaghar (Gagar) – Metal pitcher used as a percussion instrument in Punjabi folk music.
Chang (Jaw Harp) – The chang (jaw harp) is a small musical instrument played by placing it in the mouth and plucking its metal or bamboo tongue. The vibrations create a distinctive sound, and the shape of the mouth can change the pitch and tone.
Kanjhyoon/Talyoon – Small brass discs struck together to produce rhythm. It is a traditional percussion instrument commonly used in South Asian folk and devotional music, particularly in Sindh, Pakistan.
Chaparoon/Kharrtaloon – The Chaparoon or Kharrtaloon consists of wooden clappers or blocks struck together to create rhythmic beats. It is simple yet powerful and commonly used in devotional music and lively folk performances alongside other musical instruments.