Learn about the musical instruments of India and move like a Bollywood star!
Interesting facts about India
- India is located on the Asian continent and is the seventh largest country in the world.
- There are 22 official languages in India. All official communications happen in Hindi as well as English.
- Today India is composed of 28 states and eight union territories. Each state has its own traditional dance and music styles.
- There are many religions in India but the most widespread is called Hinduism. It has as many as 33 mythological gods or deities. You might have heard of Krishna (god of love and compassion) or Rama (god of truth and virtue). But did you know the goddess of knowledge, art, and music is called Saraswati?
- Every year, the people of India celebrate many festivals such as Diwali or Deepawali (festival of lights) which takes place in the Autumn, and Holi (festival of colours or festival of love) which takes place in the Spring.
- Indian cinema (Bollywood and South Indian Cinema) is the world’s largest feature film producer.
Statue of the Hindu god Krishna
Learn about Indian musical instruments
There are many traditional Indian musical instruments, and some are hundreds, even thousands of years old. Have a listen to some of the most famous ones…
Sitar [si-tahr]
The sitar is one of the most popular instruments in India and one of the most famous in the West. It is made up of 18-20 strings and the strings are plucked back and forth with a triangular piece of metal called a mizrab. The most famous sitar player of the 20th century was called Ravi Shankar. In the 1960s, the sounds of the sitar became increasingly popular in the West thanks to him and it was used on records by bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Listen to a live performance by Roopa Panesar.
Tabla [ta-blah]
The tabla is a famous percussion instrument from North India. It can be played on its own or together with other instruments. It is made of two drums with a head made of goatskin. One of the drums is slightly bigger (bayan) and produces a deeper bass sound. The smaller one (dahina) creates higher notes. At the centre of each drumhead, there is a black spot which gives the tabla its unique sound.
Listen to Bickram Ghosh playing a solo on the tabla.
Bansuri Flute [bahn-suu-ree]
The bansuri flute is made of bamboo and originally comes from Northern India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. There are six or seven finger holes. The instrument is associated with the Hindu god Krishna who is often depicted playing the bansuri.
Listen to Rakesh Chaurasia playing the bansuri flute.
Shehnai [shai-nah-ee]
The shehnai is a wind instrument similar to the oboe and associated with weddings. It is commonly played in India, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Its name means ‘the flute of kings’ and it was traditionally played in the royal court. It has 8 or 9 fingers holes and is usually played together with various percussion instruments.
Have a listen.
Tar Shehani [tahr shai-hah-nee]
The tar shehani is an Indian bowed instrument. It has a similar sound to a violin and the word ‘tar’ means ‘stringed’. Its sound is described as piercing and is amplified by a metal horn attached to its sound board.
Watch Kirpal Singh Panesar as he introduces the tar shehani.
Bollywood Music
Bollywood is to India what Hollywood is to America. It refers to movies in the Hindi language and combines two words Bombay (the city known as Mumbai today, and where the films were originally from) and Hollywood. In general, Bollywood movies are like musicals and incorporate a lot of singing and dancing based on different dance and musical styles. Many of the traditional Indian musical instruments are used in Bollywood music.
Watch this clip from the Bollywood film Hum Saath-Saath Hain and see if you can hear the tabla, shehnai, bansuri flute or sitar. You might also recognise more familiar musical instruments…
It’s your turn to learn some Bollywood dance moves. Watch this video by Dance for Kids! and try to join in.
We would love to see you dancing Bollywood! If you want, you can share pictures and videos with us on Twitter using the hashtag #ONLittleSchool.
Where worlds meet
In the Autumn, Opera North will present Orpheus in collaboration with South Asian Arts-uk. Based on an ancient tragedy, the story will be told through the meeting of the worlds of Indian and western baroque classical music. You will hear voices and musical instruments mixing. The violins will meet the sounds of the tar shehani and the rhythms of the tabla…
