The Bansuri is a traditional flute found in art and texts from ancient India. It features six holes, is side-blown, and is made from dried and treated bamboo.
Carnatic is a style of violin playing which involves different tuning and a seated playing posture as compared to Western violin playing. It is used in Indian Classical music.
The Chimta is a percussion instrument often used in Punjabi Bhangra music and Sikh religious music. It is typically made from pieces of steel or iron with brass jingles or rings attached.
The Chyabrung is a percussion instrument used in Nepal and India. It is a large wooden drum with animal skin on each end and is played with a stick and the hands. It is often used an an accompaniment to folk dances.
The Dutar is a traditional folk instrument, a long-necked two-stringed lute found in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Central Asia. Its name comes from the Persian word for "two strings", do tār, although the Herati dutar of Afghanistan has fourteen strings. (Source: Wikpedia)
The Ektara is a one-stringed instrument with a body often made from a gourd or coconut. The Ektara is used in the Hindu practice of Kirtan chanting, and was traditionally played by by wandering folk singers.
The ghaychak or gheychak is a bowed lute used in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. (Source: Wikipedia) It is often used in Balochi folk music, which is popular in Iran, Pakistan, and Oman.
The Gyaling is a traditional woodwind instrument used in Tibet and Nepal. In order to play the Gyaling, you must use a circular breathing technique. The Gyaling is often played during rituals and ceremonies.
The Indian harmonium is also known as samvadini, peti ("box"), or baja, and is generally smaller in size than traditional European harmoniums. There are differing schools of thought as to the use of the harmonium in Indian classical music, with some musicians noting that the instrument is unable to produce slides between notes, while others appreciate the harmonium's ease-of-use and amplified drone sound. The harmonium is often used in North Indian classical vocal music.
The Khamak is a one-headed drum played by plucking a string attached to the bowl of the drum. Typically played with 'Baul' (spiritual/folk) music, played in West Bengal and Assam, India as well.
The Khol is a two-headed drum used in Bangladesh, and Northern and Eastern India. It is traditionally used in devotional music, and is known as the primary drum used for bhajan and kirtan in Hare Krishna practice.
The Mridangam is a percussion instrument used in Carnatic music. It is commonly made from jackfruit wood and animal skin, and can be heard in music from Hindu and Tamil cultures.
The Nadaswaram is a wind instrument used in classical music from Southern India and Sri Lanka. The instrument is double-reeded and can be made from different types of wood or metal. It is known for its loudness and use in Hindu weddings.
Rubab. The "rubab رُباب" is a short-necked lute with sympathetic strings heavily popular in the Pashtun music of Afghanistan. It is also used in Persian classical and folk music.
