Tabla - The New Star

Two principle accompanying instruments for the Hindustani music of 19th century were Sarangi and Tabla. Both Sarangi and tabla were associated with the tradition of the dancing girls. It is interesting to note that, while Sarangi declined and gave way to Harmonium, Tabla became a champion instrument, replacing almost all other percussion instruments in North Indian music of almost all forms.

Bansuri

Although the bansuri is among the most ancient musical instruments of India, its status as a concert instrument for north Indian classical music is a relatively recent phenomenon. Previously the bamboo flute of North India had been a soprano (high pitched) instrument, no more than fourteen inches long and was used for short classical pieces, light music or accompaniment. Pannalal Ghosh (1911-1960), was the first person to bring Bansuri to the North-Indian Hindustani classical music stage. He found the then existing short high-pitched Bansuri, which was popular in Indian folk and orchestral music, to be lacking in tonal depth required to perform North-Indian Classical ragas (melodic forms). He started making longer bass flutes himself out of Bamboo, even 34 inches long. This gave the bansuri its characteristic somber,yet, sweet tone and register, so suitable for Hindustani classical music. He added the seventh finger hole to extend the range of bansuri to be able to accurately performed many ragas. With this, he perfected the tonal quality as well as the technique to play in all three octaves. But his greatest innovation was his insightful adaptation of the classical vocal style and its presentation on the bansuri, helped by his intense training under Baba Allauddin Khan. With unparalleled perfection, he presented and recorded various ragas on his flute, and tried to cover almost all the ground that a Hindustani classical vocalist would cover, from Ati-Vilambit to Drut, from Aalap to Jod to fast Taans. His renditions of ragas became very popular. Pannalal Ghosh and his mesmerizing Bansuri was overwhelmingly accepted by both the audiences and musicians of India. His success inspired a number of brilliant young musicians to take to this instrument to express their creativity and maintain its popularity.

While the credit for bringing Bansuri onto the hindustani classical stage goes to Pt. Pannalal Ghosh, making it an immensely popular instrument goes to Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia. Pt Chaurasia not only made it popular at home but also abroad. Chaurasia uses only the 6 hole Bansuri, unlike Pt Ghosh. He has also adopted it to the Maihar Gharana very well.

Shehnai

The Shehnai, double-reeded instrument of the wind category is one of the most ancient instrument used in India. Shehnai was an outdoor instrument played on occasions considered auspicious such as processions and weddings. The auspicious sound of the Shehnai is the reason it is associated with the religious ceremonies. Today, the Shehnai is still played in temples. This status has made it a necessary instrument in north Indian weddings and festivals.

Many western instruments started to be used in India during the British Raj, either in military bands or in palace bands. They were also used in film songs. Impressionable young minds took interest in many of these instruments and mastered them and adapted them to the needs of Indian Classical Music. But the success of an instrument in the classical tradition comes only when second and third generation artists gain mastery of the instruments and become successful concert artists.

Most of these instruments are constructed to produce 12 tempered notes in an octave as used in western music. Thus it becomes difficult to use them to produce other tones, quarter tones and other microtones, that are used in Indian Classical Music. Also, the instrument may not have the dynamic range to faithfully play Indian Raagas. Thus either the instrument has to be modified or the playing technique has to be changed to suit the needs of Indian Classical Music.

Guitar

Bringing guitar on the Hindustani concert stage goes to Pt Brijbhushan Kabra. Like many other pioneers, he was also self taught. He learnt classical music, mostly by listening to the great masters on the gramophone and practicing on the Hawaiian guitar, which he liked. He modified the guitar by adding a bridge and chikari string to it. Together with Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma he played in many Jugalbandhi concerts. Call of the valley, an immensely popular light classical album recorded by them, along with Chaurasia, introduced guitar as a classical instrument to a large number of people.

To Pt Vishwamohan Bhatt goes the credit for introducing guitar as a Hindustani classical instrument to the western audiences. He experimental recordings with many western and eastern artists have been well received. He also won a grammy for one such effort. Pt Bhatt has modified guitar to suit Indian classical needs and calls it Mohan Vina.