SHAURYA SINGH THAPA
Sitar It ’ s highly probable that the sitar originated in medieval India during the 16th and 17th centuries . A mainstay in Hindustani classical music , the instrument ’ s name originates from the Persian words si ( three ) and tar ( strings ). The Persian etymology makes sense given how the language had started seeping in the norther part of the country with the reign of Mughals ( especially after Akbar ).
Veena Depending upon the design , the veena is used in both Carnatic and Hindustani music . The instrument ’ s name comes from archaic Sanskrit as the veena was mentioned in several works of literature as a generic term for a ‘ plucked string musical instrument ’. Veena ( also mentioned as vana ) finds a mention in the Rig Veda , Sama Veda , as well as the Upanishads .
Tabla Tabla ’ s origins are often debated with some seeing Persia ( Iran ) as its true birthplace while others argue that India is where it acquired its modern form . Regardless of its place of origin , the percussion instrument ’ s name is mostly likely derived from the Arabic tabl , a word used to describe a drum .
Swarmandal The swarmandal is a harp-like instrument that is prominently used as an accompaniment to Hindustani vocal music . As for the instrument ’ s name , it originates from ‘ swara ’ ( note ) and mandal ( group ), indicating the large number of notes it can produce .
Harmonium Harmoniums are increasingly used in Indian Classical and devotional music despite tracing their origin from European pump organs . The portable instrument was modified to meet Indian needs but its name retains the foreign roots . The word derives from the Latin harmonia and its Greek equivalent harmonios both of which translate to ‘ harmonious ’.
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EXPLAINED : THE NAMES OF INDIAN MUSIC INSTRUMENTS
Sarod The sarod traces its roots from the Afghan rubab that originated in Central Asia or Afghanistan . The word similarly originates from Persian with sarod translating to ‘ beautiful sound ’ or ‘ melody ’. Today , it has cemented its place in the ambit of Hindustani Classical music .
Shehnai The wind instrument shehnai ’ s name apparently came from an ancient legend involving a shah ( royal ) and a nai ( barber ). Legend has it that a barber played the instrument for a Shah at his royal court . And hence , the amalgamation of these drastically opposite social classes arose to the word shehnai .
Ghatam On the surface , the ghatam is just a pot . However , in the right hands , it has emerged as a dominant percussive instrument all over the country . The word originally arose from from the Sanskrit term ghaṭaka ( pot ) and the related term , kuṇḍa ( pitcher ). It can also be related to the Tamil word kuḍam ( water pot ).
Mridangam The earliest versions of the Carnatic drum mridangam were made out of hardened clay . Hence , even the word mridangam is derived from the union of two words , namely mrt ( clay ) and anga ( limb ). The instrument is also referred to as the ‘ deva vaadyam ’ ( Divine Instrument ) as it has been the instrument of choice for Hindu deities like Ganesha , and Nandi .
Jal tarang The Jal tarang comprises of a set of ceramic bowls with specific quantities of water that are then struck with two beaters . The name literally translates to ‘ waves in water ’ and is also classified as India ’ s most ancient and prominent ‘ wave instrument ’. The mechanism behind it is such that the beaters modify the motion of sound using water as a medium .