art of travel

Melodies from Nature: Traditional Indian Instruments with a Green Soul

By Inderjeet Rathod, Product Manager, Destination Knowledge Centre

India’s musical traditions date back thousands of years, deeply connected to its spiritual and cultural identity. At the heart of this music lies a vast array of instruments. Often made from locally sourced materials such as wood, bamboo, and clay, these musical instruments serve a dual purpose: creating beautiful sounds while honouring the environment. These instruments are about more than just the melodies they create—it’s about listening to the earth and finding its voice in the rhythms that bring it to life.

String Instruments: Nature’s Resonance

One of the oldest and most iconic string instruments in Indian classical music is the Veena. Picture a large, elegant instrument with a long neck and a rounded body, traditionally carved from the wood of the jackfruit tree. Its sound is as rich as its shape—full-bodied, deeply resonant, and with the ability to express emotions tied to time, seasons, and moods. The Veena is like the spiritual cousin of the guitar, but with far more meditative tendencies.

Then there’s the Ektara, a one-stringed wonder that’s as minimalist as a bamboo stick with a gourd at one end. Its sound is so soulful, it could almost convince you that it’s narrating ancient stories from an old nomadic bard. The Ektara is common in devotional songs and spiritual gatherings, singing its simple tunes like wise elder recounting tales of devotion and life. It’s all about simplicity and soulfulness.

The Rabab, popular in North India, is shaped like a tiny wooden boat with thin strings stretched across it. Its soft, mellow sound feels like a gentle wave—perfect for accompanying stories and poetry, especially in the mystical world of Sufi music. It is less “loud and proud” and more “quietly profound,” but don’t be fooled; it can stir the deepest emotions when you least expect it.

Wind Instruments: The Voice of the Wind

India’s wind instruments have a way of capturing nature’s beauty in sound. Take the Bansuri (bamboo flute), for example. It’s a slender tube of bamboo, often with holes that are strategically placed to release melodies that are as sweet as the wind’s whispers. The Bansuri is a constant companion in Indian classical music, where it plays Raagas—complex patterns of sound that express time, mood, and nature. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like the wind itself is serenading you, the bamboo flute is your ticket.
Next, we have the Shehnai, a wind instrument with a wider, flared bell at one end. This one’s reserved for weddings and festivals, where it creates an atmosphere that’s both celebratory and spiritual. The Shehnai plays its role as a bridge between earthly joy and divine blessing, doing its best to keep everyone on the right spiritual track while also having a good time.

For something even more unique, meet the Pungi, the wind instrument played by snake charmers. Made from bamboo and a dried gourd, the Pungi has a distinctly captivating sound. The high-pitched, eerie tone it produces is enough to make you feel like you’re in an ancient ritual, perhaps on the brink of meeting a wise sage or a very confused snake. It is strange, and enchanting.

Percussion Instruments: Rhythms of the Earth

India’s percussion instruments are a world of their own, complex, rich, and—at times—impossible to resist tapping your foot to. The Tabla, consisting of two hand-played drums, one higher-pitched and the other deeper, is crafted from wood (often rosewood) and goat skin. The Tabla isn’t just an instrument; it’s a communication tool. It plays an essential role in Indian classical music, accompanying Raagas with rhythms that can make you feel like your heart is dancing.

The Mridangam, used in Carnatic music from South India, is a large, cylindrical drum made from jackfruit wood. It’s built to produce sounds as earthy as the soil itself, a perfect companion for the precise rhythms that define Carnatic music. If the Tabla is the chatty cousin, the Mridangam is the calm, collected uncle who quietly commands respect from the room. Both are incredibly skilled at keeping time—but one’s more likely to throw in an unexpected twist.

And let’s not forget the Ghatam, a large clay pot that sounds like a heartbeat when struck. This humble pot adds a solid, grounding rhythm to Carnatic ensembles, reminding us that music can be as simple as tapping the earth itself. The Ghatam might not win any beauty contests, but it sure knows how to keep things lively.

A Symphony of Sustainability

These traditional Indian instruments are more than just instruments—they are a direct reflection of the harmonious relationship between culture and the environment. Whether it’s the somber tones of the Veena or the energetic beats of the Tabla, each instrument brings nature’s voice into our world. It’s as though the earth has been singing for thousands of years, and we’ve only just started listening.

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, these instruments offer a perfect reminder: it’s possible to make timeless music while honouring the planet. After all, if the earth is going to keep singing, we’d better make sure we’re listening—and playing along.