Top 10 Indian Musical Instruments That Define Indian Music

Indian music is famous for its diversity and rich cultural heritage, with a wide spectrum of unique instruments that have shaped its sound over centuries. From the soothing strings of the sitar to the rhythmic beats of the tabla, these instruments have played a pivotal role in both classical and folk music traditions.
Are you a music lover, and do Indian musical instruments fascinate you? Below are the top 10 Indian musical instruments, showcasing their types, physical features, historical significance, and renowned players.
List of Best Indian Musical Instruments
1: Sitar
Belonging to the string family, the sitar is perhaps the most iconic among Indian musical instruments. It is known for its resonant, melodic tones that define classical Indian music.
The name “sitar” originates from the Persian word sehtar, meaning “three strings,” even though modern sitars have considerably more. Introduced to India in the 13th century through Persian and Mughal influences, the sitar has since evolved into its current form under Indian craftsmanship and traditions.
Pandit Ravi Shankar, the most renowned sitar virtuoso, brought global recognition to the instrument through his groundbreaking collaborations with artists such as George Harrison of The Beatles.
When it comes to the build-up, the sitar has a long neck with movable frets and typically has 18 to 21 strings, including sympathetic strings that vibrate to enhance the sound. It is primarily made of teak wood and has a gourd-like resonator at the base.
2: Tabla
Though its origins remain debated, the tabla is believed to have evolved from the pakhawaj drum and gained prominence in Mughal courts during the 18th century. Since the 18th century, it has been a profound instrument in the Indian classical music scene.
Tabla is one of the important Indian musical instruments. It is versatile, featured in solo performances, accompaniments, and ensembles, and holds a significant role in Hindu, Sikh, and Sufi qawwali devotional music.
It consists of two drums: the smaller dayan (right) and the larger bayan (left). The dayan, typically made of wood, produces sharp, treble tones, while the bayan, often crafted from clay or metal, delivers deep, resonant bass sounds. The drums are tuned using wooden dowels and hoops, allowing for precise tonal adjustments.
Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the most celebrated tabla maestros, is renowned worldwide for his masterful rhythmic compositions and groundbreaking international collaborations.
3: Sarangi
The sarangi is a bowed string instrument renowned for its ability to mimic the human voice with remarkable tonal accuracy. It is made from wood and features three or four main strings alongside over 30 sympathetic strings that enrich its resonant sound.
The name sarangi is believed to stem from the Persian words sara (melody) and ngi (hundred), reflecting its capacity to produce a wide range of nuanced tones. Dating back to the 13th century, the sarangi has been a core of North Indian classical music, serving both as a solo instrument and as an accompaniment to vocal performances.
Some of India’s most celebrated sarangi maestros include Suhail Yusuf Khan, Sultan Khan, Ustad Faiyaz Khan, and Moinuddin Khan.
4: Harmonium
The harmonium, also known as a “reed organ” or “pump organ,” is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by channeling air through reeds tuned to specific pitches. Widely embraced in South Asian music, the harmonium is a staple in Hindustani classical music, devotional music, and traditional performances like Qawwali and Kathak.
Based on playing, there are two main types of harmonium: foot-pumped and hand-pumped.
- The foot-pumped harmonium, invented in 1842 by Alexandre Debain, uses pedals to operate the bellows, allowing both hands to play the keys freely.
- The hand-pumped harmonium, adapted by Dwarkanath Ghose, requires one hand to pump the bellows while the other plays the keys.
Renowned musicians such as Ustad Allah Rakha and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi have showcased the harmonium’s expressive capabilities, especially in classical and devotional contexts.
5: Bansuri
For centuries, the bansuri has held a revered place in Indian culture. Deeply intertwined with Hindu mythology, this instrument is famously associated with Lord Krishna, symbolizing his divine music and his enchanting dance with Radha.
It is one of the Indian musical instruments highlighted in ancient art across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain temples and is also referred to as murali or vaṃśi in various texts.
The bansuri is an ancient bamboo flute from India. It is made from a single bamboo shaft with seven finger holes. Its length typically ranges from 30 to 75 cm, with longer flutes producing deeper, more resonant tones. While bamboo remains the preferred material, modern bansuris are occasionally made from ivory, fiberglass, or metal.
Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, a legendary bansuri maestro, is celebrated for bringing the bamboo flute to global prominence through his unparalleled artistry and innovation.
6: Shehnai
Believed to have evolved from the pungi—a folk instrument traditionally associated with snake charmers—with time, the shehnai has since become an integral part of Indian music traditions.
The shehnai is a traditional Indian wind instrument crafted from wood, featuring a double reed at one end and a flared bell at the other. It typically has six to nine finger holes and requires intricate mouth and finger techniques to produce its characteristic sound. The instrument gradually widens towards its lower end and has a two-octave range.
In regions like Goa and Coastal Karnataka, shehnai players, known as Vajantri, have long been central to temple ceremonies. It is also a staple at religious rituals, weddings, and festive celebrations. It has made its mark in Indian cinema, notably in films like Sanaadi Appanna.
7: Rudra Veena
The Rudra Veena (also known as Bīn in North India) is a large plucked string instrument primarily used in Indian classical music, especially in the dhrupad tradition. Renowned for its deep, resonant bass tones, it is one of the most prominent types of veena.
The instrument appears in ancient temple art and is mentioned in historical records, including those from the court of Zain-ul Abidin (1418–1470). It gained prominence in the Mughal courts and was further supported by princely states. However, following India’s Independence, the decline in royal patronage contributed to a decrease in its popularity.
In recent years, the Rudra Veena has experienced a resurgence, with growing interest from international musicians, revitalizing its role in classical music.
8: Sarod
The sarod is a fretless string instrument used in Hindustani music. It is one of the Indian musical instruments known for its deep, resonant sound and rich, echoing tones. It got its name from the Persian word sorūd, meaning “song” or “melody.”
The sarod evolved from the Afghan rubāb in the 19th century, with Ghulam Bandagi Khan enhancing its sound by adding metal strings and a metal plate. Later, Ustad Allauddin Khan and his brother Ayet Ali Khan further refined the instrument by increasing the number of drones and sympathetic strings, enriching its tonal complexity.
One of the defining features of sarod is its ability to produce smooth slides between notes, a technique central to Indian music. Notable contemporary sarod players include Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Abhishek Lahiri, Brij Narayan, and Anupam Sobhakar, who continue to carry forward this rich tradition.
9: Veena
The veena, also known as vina, refers to a family of string instruments with various regional styles, including the Rudra veena, Saraswati veena, and Vichitra veena.
- The Rudra veena, prominent in North Indian music, is a 3.5 to 4-foot stick zither with a hollow body and two resonating gourds. It features four melodic strings and three drone strings and is played using both a plectrum and the fingers.
- The Saraswati veena, used in Carnatic music of South India, is a long-necked, pear-shaped lute with 24 frets, four melody strings, and three drone strings.
- The Vichitra veena lacks frets and produces sounds close to a humming human singer. It is played with a piece of oval or round glass.
Both versions of the veena (Rudra and Saraswati) are capable of producing a wide range of pitches and are known for their characteristic smooth, sliding notes, which are essential in Indian ragas.
The veena is not only a prominent instrument in Carnatic music but also serves as an important symbol in Indian culture, representing Saraswati, the goddess of arts and learning.
10: Violin
The violin is a small wooden instrument with four strings, typically played with a bow, though it can also be plucked or struck with the bow. Originating in Italy in the 1500s, the violin underwent significant improvements in the 1700s and 1800s to enhance its sound, making it louder and more resonant.
Violins are typically made from different types of wood, and the strings can be crafted from gut, synthetic, or steel materials.
Violin is one of the important Indian musical instruments in many music styles, most notably in Western classical music, but it is also featured in genres like country, jazz, and even Indian music. The term “fiddle” is often used interchangeably with “violin” in various musical contexts.
Some of the most famous violins, crafted by legendary makers such as Stradivari and Guarneri, are highly prized by collectors and musicians alike.
FAQs
What are the top 10 instruments used in Indian music?
The top 10 instruments in Indian music are:
- Sitar
- Tabla
- Sarangi
- Harmonium
- Bansuri
- Shehnai
- Rudra Veena
- Sarod
- Veena
- Violin
Which are the most famous Indian musical instruments?
Some of the most famous Indian musical instruments include the sitar, tabla, bansuri, and sarod.
What is the oldest musical instrument in India?
The Rudra veena is one of the oldest musical instruments in India, dating back to the 2nd century BCE.
What is the national instrument of India?
The national instrument of India is the Saraswati veena (also called vina), linked to the goddess Saraswati, who represents music and arts.
What instrument is India known for?
India is particularly known for its string instruments like the sitar and sarod, as well as percussion instruments like the tabla.