Classification of Indian musical instruments
Throughout the history of India and even in our mythology musical instruments are like the virtual rhythm of the scenario. Here are the classifications of all Indian musical instruments as per the Natya Shastra of Bharatmuni is concerned:
Tat wadya or string instruments:
In the earlier stages, the strings are made of weed, animal skins, hair, etc. After the concept of metal strings came to life it changed the whole concept of classical music. According to Indian mythology, the string was made by the bow of Lord Shiva. There are classifications and lots of experimentation of this type of instrument. The main 4 categories are plucked instruments like Tanpura, Swar-Mandal, etc, stroking instruments like Sarod, Sitar, etc, Bowed instruments like Sarangi, Israj, Violin, etc, Hammered instruments like Santoor, etc.
Sushir wadya or blown instruments:
Sushir means a hole so these instruments have holes for the air to blow. The air column of these Indian musical instruments is made of bamboo, wood, and metal. These instruments are very popular in modern and traditional music. There are mainly two categories: simple blown instruments like flute, shankh, etc and blown instruments with reeds like Shennai, Sundri.
Awanadhha wadya or percussion instruments:
Awanadhha means ‘to cover over or conceal’. So these instruments have a sound box with covering skins. According to the playing technique, there are four categories:
• Played with strokes or fingers like Khanjira, Duff, Dimdi, etc.
• Played with the stroke of a stick like Dhol, Nagada, etc.
• Played with the palms of both hands like Pakhawaj etc.
• Played with palms as well as fingers like Tabla, Dholak, etc.
Ghana wadya or solid instruments:
Ghana means solid. These Indian musical instruments are made of a variety of materials like stones, bones, woods, and metals. These types of instruments are used in various kinds of music. There are three groups of these instruments: Played with contacts like chipli, played with a hammer or stick like Jal Taranga, Ghanta, etc, played by rotation or free movement like Ghungroo, Kabas, etc.
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