<p>
Hindustani classical music is a whole universe of instruments. For a
new listener, it helps to know who is who in the “orchestraâ€.
</p>
<h3>Melodic instruments</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<b>Sitar</b> – Plucked string instrument with frets, sympathetic
strings, and a bright, ringing tone. Famous globally through artists
like Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar.
</li>
<li>
<b>Sarod</b> – Fretless plucked instrument with a deep, metallic,
singing tone. Often used for powerful gamak and meend.
</li>
<li>
<b>Bansuri</b> – Bamboo flute. Soft, airy, and capable of incredibly
subtle meends and shruti work.
</li>
<li>
<b>Violin</b> – Borrowed from Western music but tuned and played
differently (often held on the shoulder or chest); it can mimic
the human voice closely.
</li>
<li>
<b>Sarangi</b> – Bowed instrument with many sympathetic strings.
Extremely close to vocal timbre; used extensively for accompaniment
and solo.
</li>
<li>
<b>Santoor</b> – A hammered dulcimer from Kashmir; produces a rich,
shimmering sound.
</li>
<li>
<b>Dilruba / Esraj</b> – Bowed instruments that combine features of
sitar and sarangi; used in classical and devotional music.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Rhythmic instruments</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<b>Tabla</b> – Two hand drums (dayan and bayan). The most common
percussion for khayal, thumri, and instrumental Hindustani music.
</li>
<li>
<b>Pakhawaj</b> – Barrel drum used in Dhrupad and some temple traditions.
Its sound is majestic, resonant, and powerful.
</li>
<li>
<b>Dholak</b> – Double-headed drum used for folk and light classical forms.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Drone and harmonic support</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<b>Tanpura</b> – Plucked drone instrument; creates the sonic “homeâ€
of Sa and Pa/Ma.
</li>
<li>
<b>Harmonium</b> – Reed organ with a keyboard and bellows. Used widely
for melodic accompaniment; its fixed-pitch nature makes it easy to learn
but slightly less flexible for shruti work.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
Together, these instruments create a layered soundscape: drone, melody,
and rhythm working in harmony. For a Western musician, it’s like hearing
a mini-orchestra where every player improvises within a shared framework.
</p>
Main Instruments of Hindustani Music
Step 35 of 52
Sitar, sarod, bansuri, violin, sarangi, santoor, pakhawaj, tabla, tanpura, harmonium – who plays what and how they sound.