From temple halls to global stages, these time-honoured instruments carry the legacy of India's millennia-old musical heritage
India's musical tradition is among the oldest in the world—more than just a form of entertainment, it has long served as a spiritual invocation, a means of storytelling, and a form of resistance. Behind the rhythms and ragas lie instruments shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, mythology, devotion, and craftsmanship. Many of these ancient instruments remain not merely relics, but vital parts of both classical repertoire and contemporary fusion.
Here are ten of the most historically significant Indian instruments still very much alive today.
Emerging during the Mughal era from a blend of Persian and Indian musical traditions, the sitar became the worldwide symbol of Indian classical music in the 20th century. Its resonant sympathetic strings and movable frets enable fluid improvisation in ragas. Thanks to maestros like Ravi Shankar, the sitar gained admirers from the Beatles to jazz legends, embodying India's soft power through sound.
Often described as the sitar's elder sibling, the surbahar was designed for deeper, meditative renditions of ragas. Its slow, expansive alap sections draw listeners into a trance-like stillness. Although less common today, it remains esteemed in the Dhrupad tradition for its unmatched depth and gravitas.
No Hindustani concert is complete without the tabla—a pair of drums that echoes the heartbeat of India's musical soul. Evolved from the pakhawaj and refined in Mughal courts, it's capable of astonishing speed, finesse, and melodic percussion. Tabla legend Zakir Hussain has brought it onto global stages, proving that rhythm knows no borders.
Associated with Devi Saraswati, the goddess of learning, the veena holds both spiritual and musical significance. Originating from the Vedic era, this plucked string instrument plays a vital role in South India's Carnatic music. Its warm, resonant sound embodies devotion and scholarship, serving as a musical homage to the divine.
The mridangam, traditionally carved from jackfruit wood, is the cornerstone of percussion in Carnatic performances. Believed to have celestial origins and mythologically linked with Lord Shiva, it merges technical complexity with ritual significance. Its pitch-flexible drum heads make it uniquely responsive, supporting intricate rhythmic dialogues.
Fretless and metallic, the sarod produces a sound often described as melancholic yet majestic. Originating from the Afghan rabab, it was adapted to Indian classical music by the 18th century. Artists like Amjad Ali Khan enhanced its emotional depth, enabling the sarod to express itself through glides, not just notes.
Traditionally played at weddings and temples, the shehnai evokes both solemnity and celebration. Ustad Bismillah Khan transformed this humble folk instrument into a symbol of national pride, even performing at India's Independence Day ceremony. With its double-reed tone, the shehnai is as regal as it is deeply rooted.
Originally a folk instrument from Kashmir, the santoor gained classical prominence through the efforts of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. Played with mallets on over 100 strings, its luminous tone is now widespread in film, fusion, and meditation music. It bridges rural charm with refined virtuosity.
A colonial import from Europe, the harmonium was transformed in India into a staple of vocal accompaniment—especially in bhajans, ghazals, and qawwalis. Despite criticism for its lack of ornamentation, Indian musicians adapted their styles to utilise its potential. Today, it's the backbone of devotional soundscapes.
Associated with Lord Krishna, the bansuri is one of the oldest instruments in Indian culture. Once confined to folk music, it was brought into the classical spotlight by Pannalal Ghosh and later perfected by Hariprasad Chaurasia. Its bamboo simplicity conceals a profound expressive power, capable of evoking both love and longing.
