Musical instruments of Rajasthan

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A nagphani

The musical instruments of Rajasthan include:[1][2] ravanahatha, kamayacha, Sindhi sarangi, morchang, algoze, bin, nagphani,[3] bankia, tarpi, chautara, ghara, jantar, chikara, ektara, murali, murli, gujari sarangi,[4] deru, bapang, bhapang and khartal.

## List of Rajasthani musical instruments

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### Algoza

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Alghoza, also known as Algoza is a traditional double-flute woodwind instrument prominent in the folk music of Sindhi, Kutchi, Saraiki, Punjabi, Rajasthani, and Baloch cultures. It consists of two beak flutes—one producing the melody and the other providing a continuous drone. These flutes are either bound together or held side by side while playing. The instrument requires a constant stream of air, as both flutes are blown simultaneously to create a rhythmic and melodic soundscape.[5]

### Bin

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Bin is the Rajasthani word for mashak, which means bagpipes in Hindi. They are a type of bagpipe native to Rajasthan, and are similar to the algoza. Its name also means water bag, as the bag was originally used to carry water. The bin is also heavily used in Kumaon, Garhwal, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.[6][7]

### Bhapang

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Bhapang is an instrument that looks like a drum, but uses string. They are made from gourd shells, and use a flexible cloth to cover the gourd, like goat skin. Then strings hang from the skin and are tied at the middle of the 2 shells. A bamboo stick is then used to produce pitches.[8][9]

### Chautara

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An image of a decorated chautara along with a human figure.

The Chautara, as shown from its name, has four strings and is similar to the tanpura in its use. It is made of light wood and used as an accompaniment in singing.

### Deru

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A corn hand percussion instrument that is like the bhapang. The drum is made from mango wood, and the drum's sides have skin covering them. Strings are attached, and the player uses these to change pitch.[10]

### Jantar

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A type of veena, with 2 resonators. These resonators are made of gourd or wood. The rest of the jantar uses wood, steel, and horsehair, traditionally. It is considered an early form of veena, and is closest to the Rudra veena and Saraswati veena.[11]

### Kamayacha

[edit]

The seventeen-string kamayacha, or khamaycha, is a string instrument constructed out of a piece of mango wood, featuring a round resonator covered in goat leather. It is also related to the sarangi and chikara, but has its own unique sound.[12]

The man on the left is playing the sarangi. The man on the right is playing the kamayacha.

Three of its strings are made of goat intestine, while the other fourteen are made of steel.[13][14] It is a key presence in Rajasthani folk music, and is heard in Jaisalmer and Barmer. Sakar Khan, who received Padma Shri for his work with kamayacha, and Dapu Khan are some of its most well-known players.[15][16]

### Khartal

[edit]

Khartal also known as Kartals are a traditional percussion instrument used in Rajasthan, consisting of a pair of thin, hard wooden pieces. They are similar in function to percussion bones and are commonly used in folk music and devotional performances.[17]

### Pungi

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Murali is also known as bansuri, and Murli is known as Pungi. The bansuri is the Indian flute made of bamboo. The pungi is the instrument that was once used by snake charmers, but still used by musicians today. It is made out of bamboo with a gourd at its top.[18][19][20]

### Nagphani

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Nagphani is a traditional wind instrument belonging to the Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. This is also played in Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is shaped like a serpent (Nag means serpent in Sanskrit, thus giving it the name) with a metal tongue painted with bright colours. This instrument resembles a snake with a round and open mouth, is made of copper and bronze and is smaller in size than other wind instruments.[21] It is used by tantrik ritual performers. Nagphani was also played during battles to boost the morale of the troops and is occasional during weddings and gatherings.[22]

### Raavanhatha

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Indian Ravanhatha at the Casa Museo Del Timple, Lanzarote, Spain

Raavan hatha, or 'Raavan's hand' is a string instrument modelled from a legend telling the story of Raavan came upon his death by Lord Rama in Sri Lanka. Fifteen metallic pegs run along the stem of the instrument representing Raavan's fifteen fingers. The two wooden pegs behind the stem represent his thumbs. The coconut base represents the shoulder and the strings represent the nerves.

### Sarangi

[edit]

An image of mashak, the traditional Indian bagpipe.

There are two instruments which are known as sarangi in Rajasthan. The first is Sindhi sarangi. It is the real sarangi with many strings, pegs, and the sound of a human voice. It resembles a Western violin. The Gujari sarangi is shaped like a smaller Ravanahatha, but is called a sarangi.[23][24][25]

## References

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1. ^ Cyberpark Team. "Rajasthan Music & Dance, Rajasthan Musical Instruments, Rajasthan Travel Guide". rajasthantravelguide.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
2. ^ "instruments - rajasthan". rajtourism.com.
3. ^ "Nagphani | Nepal or India". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
4. ^ RAJASTHANI FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - GUJARI or SARANGI, retrieved 19 March 2024
5. ^ "Punjab: Witness of partition, Algoza exponent Chuhar Khan, having faced abject penury, laid to rest". The Times of India. 13 August 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
6. ^ Teamwork Arts (26 August 2022). Shyopat Julia | The Tale of a Rajasthani Bagpiper | Mashak | I Believe Art Matters: Folk Edition. Retrieved 9 August 2024 – via YouTube.
7. ^ "Mashak". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
8. ^ "Bhapang The Musical Instrument". आथुन | Aathun. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
9. ^ The bhapang - a variable tension string instrument from Rajasthan, retrieved 19 March 2024
10. ^ RAJASTHANI FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - DERU, retrieved 19 March 2024
11. ^ "Jantar The Musical Instrument". आथुन | Aathun. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
12. ^ "Rajasthani Manganiars to play 700-year-old instrument Kamaycha at Goa music fest". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
13. ^ RAM Chandrakausika (3 June 2013). "Tribes of Rajasthan". A World’s Heritage Of Native Music. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
14. ^ "Kamayacha: The Musical Instrument". Aathun. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
15. ^ "Sakar Khan". Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
16. ^ "Dapu Khan – the khamaicha legend". melven. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
17. ^ Jain, Sanket (8 September 2024). "'This is what makes me happy'". National Herald. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
18. ^ RAJASTHANI FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENT- MURALI, retrieved 19 March 2024
19. ^ "The Bansuri: the humble bamboo reed of cowherds". Darbar Arts Culture and Heritage Trust. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
20. ^ What is a bansuri?, retrieved 19 March 2024
21. ^ "Nagphani". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
22. ^ "Nagphani | Nepal or India". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
23. ^ "Sarangi | Indian". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
24. ^ RAJASTHANI FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENT- SINDHI SARANGI, retrieved 19 March 2024
25. ^ RAJASTHANI FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENT - GUJARI or SARANGI, retrieved 19 March 2024