Folk Musical Instruments of Rajasthan

Musical instruments are a crucial part of musical composition, helping to create an ambiance reflective of the emotions portrayed by artists . Rajasthan is home to many such instruments, which can be broadly classified into four main types: Tat (String), Sushir (Wind), Avnadh (Percussion/Membrane), and Ghan (Solid/Idiophone) .

1. Tat (String Instruments)

These are musical instruments that produce sound through strings .

Sarangi (सारंगी)

• Made from Toon, Sagwan (teak), or Rohida wood, it has 27 strings, with the higher strings made from goat intestines .
• Played with a bow (Gaj) made of horsehair .
• Types include the Sindhi Sarangi (larger) and Gujaratan Sarangi (7 strings) . The Jadi Sarangi is played by the Manganiyar community .
• It is mainly played by Langa musicians from Barmer. Notable artists include Ramnarayan, Sultan Khan, and Yasin Khan .

Jantar (जंतर)

• Considered an early form of the Veena, it has two gourds (Tumba) for resonance .
• It has a hollow wooden body with about 22 covers pasted with wax .
• It is played by hanging it around the artist's neck and is primarily used by Bhopas while singing the Phad of Devnarayan Ji .

Ravan-Hattha (रावण-हत्था)

• An ancient and popular instrument, considered a predecessor to the violin .
• Constructed from a long bamboo stem with a half coconut shell at the end, covered with goat skin. It features 9 strings attached to knobs for tuning .
• The bow is made of horsehair and has small bells attached .
• Mainly played by Bhopas and Bhils while singing the Phad of Pabuji and Dungji-Jawahar Ji .

Kamayacha (कमायचा)

• Originally from Iran, it is similar to a Sarangi but has a large, circular belly (Tabli) covered with leather, which produces a deep, booming sound .
• It has around 17 strings and is played with a large bow made of horsehair .
• Primarily played by the Manganiyar community during Maand and folk song performances . Sakar Khan was a renowned player and a recipient of the Padma-Shree .

Other Tat Instruments

• Rawaj (रवाज): Resembles a Kamayacha but is played with fingernails instead of a bow. It has 12 strings and is used by Rao and Bhat communities of Mewar .
• Tandura/Chautara (तन्दुरा/चौतारा): Resembles a Tanpura with four strings. It is used by followers of the Kamad sect while singing songs of Ramdev Ji .
• Ektara (इकतारा): An ancient one-string instrument, also known as 'Gopichand'. It is played by Kalbeliyas and Nath sect saints, often along with the Khartal .
• Bhapang (भपंग): Resembles a Damru and is made from a hollow gourd shell. It is played by the Jogi community of the Mewat region. Jahur Khan is known as the "Magician of Bhapang" .
• Gujari (गुजरी): Smaller than a Ravan-Hattha with 5 strings .
• Surinda (सुररंदा): Made from Rohida wood, its bow has small bells. It is not played while singing .
• Chikara (चचकारा): Made from Kair wood with three strings .
• Dukako (दुकाको): Played by the Bhil tribe during Diwali by pressing it between the knees .

2. Sushir (Wind Instruments)

These are instruments played by blowing wind into them .

Algoza (अलगोज़ा)

• The state musical instrument of Rajasthan, it consists of a pair of flutes played together .
• One flute plays a continuous drone while the other plays different notes .
• Ramnath Chaudhary is famous for playing the Algoza with his nose. It is mostly played by Bhils and Kalbeliyas .

Shehnai/Sundri (शहनाई)

• A melodious instrument considered auspicious, often played at royal courts and weddings .
• It has a wooden tube body with eight holes and a metal ball at the end. It is generally played alongside the Nagada .
• Mangibai of Mewar is a famous artist .

Other Sushir Instruments

• Flute/Bansuri: An ancient instrument made of hollow bamboo with six or seven holes .
• Pungi/Been (पंुगी): Played by snake-charmers (Jogis and Kalbeliyas), made from a small gourd with two attached pipes .
• Satara (सतारा): A combination of Algoza and Shehnai, played by tribes in Jaisalmer and Barmer .
• Morchang/Morsing (मोरचंग): An iron instrument also known as the 'Jews harp', played by pressing it between the lips .
• Bankiya (बांचकया): A brass instrument played by the Sargada community alongside the Dhol and Thali .
• Mashak (मशक): Made of goat hide with two tubes, played by the Bhopas of Bhairon Ji .
• Bhungal/Ranbhari (भंुगल): A large brass pipe played before battles, and a main instrument of the Bhawai caste .
• Nagphani (नागफनी): A brass instrument shaped like a snake .
• Karna (करणा): A long, needle-shaped instrument .
• Surnai (सुरनाई): Resembles a Shehnai and is played by Dholi, Dhadhi, Langa, and Mangniyar communities at weddings .
• Other Instruments: Turahi, Shankh, Singi (played by Jogis), Tarpi (by Kathodi tribe), Nad (by Karna Bheel), and Toto .

3. Avnaddh (Percussion Instruments)

These instruments are made with a leather membrane, and sound is produced by striking them .

• Mridang/Pakhavaj (मृदंग/पखावज): A barrel-shaped, two-headed drum. Pandit Purshottam Das, a famous player, is a recipient of the Padma-Shree .
• Dhol: A double-sided barrel drum played with hands or wooden sticks. It is used in dances like Gair, Kachi Ghodi, and the Dhol dance of Jalore .
• Nagada (नगाडा): Large kettle drums, played in pairs. They are used in folk dramas by Dhol and Mirasi castes .
• Madal (मादल): An ancient instrument resembling a Mridang, made of sand. The Bhil tribe plays it during the Gavri dance .
• Chang (चंग): A famous instrument played during Holi. It consists of a wooden circle with animal hide on one side .
• Khanjari (खंजरी): Made of mango wood with animal hide on one side. Played by Kamdiya, Bhil, and Kalbeliya tribes .
• Damroo (डमरू): A small, two-headed drum . Its larger form is the Dairoo (डैरंू) .
• Pabuji Ke Mate (पाबूजी के माटे): Two large earthen pots covered with animal hide, played by the Thori or Nayak caste while singing the Pavade (heroic songs) of Pabuji .
• Tassa/Tasha (ताशा): An iron or earthen bowl covered with goat hide, hung on the neck and played by the Muslim community .

4. Ghan (Idiophone Instruments)

These instruments are made of metal and produce sound when struck .

• Manjeera (मंजीरा): Small circular cymbals made of bronze and brass. Women of the Kamad sect tie 13 Manjeeras to their body to perform the Terah-Taali dance .
• Jhaanjh (झांझ): A larger form of the Manjeera, used in Kachi-Ghodi dance and played mostly in the Shekhawati region .
• Khadtal (खड़ताल): Derived from "Kar-Taal" (hand music), it consists of wooden pieces with metal balls inside that are clapped together. Sadik Khan is known as the "Magician of Khartal" .
• Ramjhol (रमझोल): Numerous metallic bells tied to a leather belt and worn on the legs, producing sound with movement. It is used during the Gair dance .
• Other Instruments: Chimta, Ghanta (Bell), Thali, Bharni, Ghuraliyo, Kartaal, Jhalar, Ghungroo, Tankora, and Lazim .