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MUSIC INSTRUMENTS

Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu have their distinct and rich repertoire of instrumental music. The instrumental music in Ladakh has a distinct and is called Byang. It is not part of the vocal tradition as in other parts of the state. The prominent musical instruments are :

DAMIAN

It is a six stringed guitar like instrument, popular with nomadic people of Tibetan origin living in Ladakh. ‘Da’ means sound and ‘Mian’ means sweet.

DAMMAN

It is a set of two kettledrums called Fo and Mo, meaning male and female. Fo has a hole under it so that water could be poured into it to produce a heavy, deep sound. They are played with small sticks call Damshing. Damman provides a deep pulsating, resonant beat and is played with dances and singing in Ladakh.

SURNA

It belongs to the ancient Shehnai family.

SKALING

It is a joint double flute.

SANTOOR

This hundred stringed instrument is considered the Vena of Kashmir. It is played by striking the strings with two curved small sticks called Kalam.

SITAR

The Kashmiri Sitar has a long body and seven playing strings. These strings are struck with Mizrab and sweet notes are produced.

TUMBAKNARI

This Surahi shaped earthen instrument is used for every singing occasion in Kashmir. Nari in Kashmiri is an earthen pot. Tumbknari has everything common with Irani Tumakh, except its body. It provides a fascinating dimension to Kashmiri folk music. Roff songs and dance.

RANSINGHA

It is an "S" shaped, huge windpipe played in the Jammu Region with some dances and songs of religious import.

DAHARA

It is a long iron rod, supporting bronze or iron rings that are controlled by the movement of the hands. Ladi Shah-the bard of Kashmir, sings satirical songs on it.

SARANDA

It is a stringed instrument like the Indian Sarangi and is played with a bow. It is used by the Jogis in Jammu.

SAZ-E-KASHMIR

It has a round, decorated wooden body pasted with parchment and is played with a bow. It has three main gut strings and on either side two sets of sympathetic strings is mounted.

NOOT

It is a common earthen pitcher used to give a rhythmic beat in singing in the Kashmir valley.

KING

The most fascinating folk instrument of Jammu has a long round wooden bar with two gourd resonators placed vertically on it. King is played while singing folk songs and Karkan-ballads having religious themes.

RABAB

It is also very popular string instrument used in singing Chhakari and Sufiana Kalam in Kashmir Valley. It has a deep, hollow wooden body serving as a resonator. It is played by plucking strings and pressing them at different scales.

OTHER MUSIC INSTRUMENTS

The J&K state has many more musical instruments like Daph, Diwang (fiddle), Dingjam, Bugjal(cymbals), Gling-liu, Sgra-snyan, Kon Kon in Ladakh; Dukkar, Swarnari in Kashmir; Chmta, Gharah, Talli, Hauns, Algoza, Tooti etc. in Jammu.