Hindustani classical music is a whole universe of instruments. For a new listener, it helps to know who is who in the “orchestra”.
Melodic instruments
- Sitar – Plucked string instrument with frets, sympathetic strings, and a bright, ringing tone. Famous globally through artists like Ravi Shankar and Anoushka Shankar.
- Sarod – Fretless plucked instrument with a deep, metallic, singing tone. Often used for powerful gamak and meend.
- Bansuri – Bamboo flute. Soft, airy, and capable of incredibly subtle meends and shruti work.
- Violin – Borrowed from Western music but tuned and played differently (often held on the shoulder or chest); it can mimic the human voice closely.
- Sarangi – Bowed instrument with many sympathetic strings. Extremely close to vocal timbre; used extensively for accompaniment and solo.
- Santoor – A hammered dulcimer from Kashmir; produces a rich, shimmering sound.
- Dilruba / Esraj – Bowed instruments that combine features of sitar and sarangi; used in classical and devotional music.
Rhythmic instruments
- Tabla – Two hand drums (dayan and bayan). The most common percussion for khayal, thumri, and instrumental Hindustani music.
- Pakhawaj – Barrel drum used in Dhrupad and some temple traditions. Its sound is majestic, resonant, and powerful.
- Dholak – Double-headed drum used for folk and light classical forms.
Drone and harmonic support
- Tanpura – Plucked drone instrument; creates the sonic “home” of Sa and Pa/Ma.
- Harmonium – 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.
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.