Santoor

Santoor is a hammered dulcimer tradition that was adapted into a respected Hindustani solo instrument. Indian classical music revolves around raag and taal, and the santoor learned to speak that language through careful development of techniques that preserve raag identity even on a struck-string surface. It became popular because its sound is radiant and distinctive, and because modern masters showed it could carry serious classical expression, not just folk or light music.

It is built as a trapezoidal wooden box with many strings stretched over bridges, tuned in groups for a bright, shimmering response. The performer plays with two light mallets, controlling articulation through strike angle, damping, and precise timing. It is mainly a solo concert instrument, and what makes it unique is its cascading sparkle and percussive clarity, creating a color that plucked strings and winds cannot replicate.