Instruments
Carnatic instruments
The eleven principal instruments of a modern Carnatic concert — voice at the centre, melodic accompaniment, percussion, drone, and the temple wind tradition. Every exponent listed has confirmed dates from the standard published references.
Not sure where to start?
Four questions, one recommendation — then try it instantly on the virtual instrument.
How do you picture yourself playing?
By how sound is made
The four-fold classification is old Indian organology — it appears in Bharata's Nāṭya Śāstra and in Dattilam before the Vādyādhyāya applies it. Saṅgīta Ratnakara's sixth chapter classifies instruments this way; it did not invent the scheme.
The voice is not listed under a family. It is not a vādya — it is the medium the instruments accompany, and the tradition does not classify it in this scheme.
Veṇu
3 exponentsalso: Carnatic flute · kuzhal
WindMelodic leadSuṣiraTransverse bamboo flute. The Carnatic concert flute has 8 finger-holes (vs. the typical 6–7 on the Hindustani bāṃsuri) — the extra holes allow the full range of gamakas required for Carnatic ornamentation. Concert flutes are tuned across a wide pitch range from C# (the highest, used for fast pieces) down to A (the deepest, used for slow ālāpana).
Enter the gallery →
Nāgasvaram
4 exponentsalso: nāḍasvaram · nagaswaram
WindTemple / ceremonialSuṣiraDouble-reed instrument about 75 cm long, made of acha wood with a flared metal bell. Seven finger holes plus five drone holes (which the player can plug with wax to alter the scale). Loud enough to project across temple courtyards. Players use circular breathing to sustain phrases.
Enter the gallery →
The Carnatic violin uses the same physical instrument as the European one but holds it differently and tunes it Sa-Pa-Sa-Pa — Bāluswāmi Dīkṣitar, the brother of Muttuswāmi (see Composers · Dīkṣitar), introduced the adaptation in the early 19th century.