Classification of Indian Musical Instruments

Classification of Indian Musical Instruments ••

The general term for musical instruments in India is 'Vadya' (वाद्य). There are predominantly 5 types of them. There is a traditional system for the classification of instruments. This system is based upon; non-membranous percussion (ghan), membranous percussion (avanaddh), wind blown (sushir), plucked string (tat), bowed string (vitat). Here are the classes and representative instruments.

* Tat Vadya (तात वाद्य):
The String Instruments are known as Tat Vadya. They are the Plucked Stringed Instruments. In ancient times, virtually all instruments of this class were referred to as Vina. Some of the instruments of this categorty are Sitar, Sarod, Saraswati Vina (South Indian Vina), Surbahar, Gotuvadyam, Rudra Vina, Vichitra Vina, Ektar, Tanpura, Dotar, Santoor, Surmandal, Bulbul Tarang, Nakula Vina, Magadi Vina, Getchu Vadyam (Gettuvadyam), Gopichand (ektar), Seni Rabab, Been and Sarangi.

* Sushir Vadya (सुशिर वाद्य):
These are Blown Air Instruments. This class of instrument is characterized by the use of air to excite the various resonators. Some of the instruments of this category are Bansuri, Shehnai, Pungi, Harmonium, Shankh, Nadaswaram, Ottu and Surpeti.

* Ghana Vadya (घन वाद्य):
These are Non-Membranous Percussive Instruments. This is one of the oldest classes of instruments in India. This class is based upon percussive instruments which do not have membranes, specifically those which have solid resonators. These may be either melodic instruments or instruments to keep Taal (ताल). Kasht Tarang, Jal Tarang, Manjira, Ghatam, Murchang, Ghungharu, Kartal and Chimpta.

* Vitat Vadya (वितात वाद्य):
These are the Bowed Stringed Instruments. This is a class of stringed instruments which are bowed. This class appears to be quite old, yet these instruments did not occupy a place in classical music until the last few centuries. The entire class of instruments has a certain stigma attached to it. Even today only the Western violin is free of this stigma. Some of the instruments of this category are Sarangi, Saringda, Violin, Esraj, Dilruba, Chikara, Mayuri Vina and Pena.

* Avanaddh Vadya (अवनध वाद्य):
These are the Membranous Persussive Instruments. This is a class of instruments which have struck membranes. These typically comprise the drums. Some of the instruments of this category are Tabla, Pakhawaj, Mridangam, Tabla Tarang, Dholak, Nagada, Dholki (Nal), Daf (Duf, Daphu, Daffali), Kanjira, Tavil, Khol (Mridang), Pung, Thanthi, Panai, Damaru, Chenda, Shuddha Madalam, Idakka and Udaku (Udakai).
Article Source: hindustaniclassical.com

We already have discussed about some of the instruments in detail in our earlier posts and we will post about others in our later posts! 🙂