The instruments used in the show are Sitar, Shehnai, Santoor, Sarangi, Bansuri and Harmonium. The bow section from Rajasthan includes 6 Rajasthani violins and swirling Indian variations of violin and Tanpura. The Persian influences on Indian music that began in the reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, are noteworthy e.g., the Santoor, a 100-stringed instrument, originally from Persia. The percussion instruments used are Tabla, Dholak, Dhol, Daff, Kanjira, Matka, Ghunghroo, Chati, Pakhawaj, Majira.


Sarangi
One of the ancient bow instruments in India, it is played by inserting the fingernails into the string. Known only in India and Greece, it is also known as the Greek lira. In Greece it is used as accompaniment to female singers. The instruments are played singing style with the same ornaments connecting the notes together.

Sitar
Made from dried pumpkins, it includes three main strings and more than 10 resonant strings which give it a characteristic wailing sound. It is played with metal fingers.

Santoor
From Persia, this is a string percussive instrument with two wooden sticks. As the sticks are hit, the sound changes. The Santoor needs to be re-tuned for each raga.

Shehnai
This is a double-reed instrument, mainly for outdoor playing, due to its condensed, focused sound. It resembles the oboe.

Bansuri
This relatively new instrument was popularized 100 years ago by Pannalal Ghosh, and, subsequently, became a classical instrument. The twelve notes of the Bansuri are produced by moving the fingers carefully over the 6 holes, in a way that it sounds like the wind.

Harmonium
This is the Indian accordion, derived from colonial influences. It is most popularly used in the qawaali style of music.

Pakhawaj
This was formerly the old Tabla. One side is skin and dough, and the other is skin. It is played seated on the ground, with the instrument placed astride on the knees.

Tabla
The evolution of the Tabla by splitting the Pakhawaj into two, was a major breakthrough in music. The separation of the high from the low sound, the baya and chati, has allowed for many musical possibilities and the development of new techniques. It is today recognized as one of the most complicated and interesting percussion instruments.

Mouth percussion - Bols
Created to teach rhythmical patterns, each sound on the Tabla has a corresponding syllable in the mouth.

Kanjira
This is a small tambourine made from snakeskin. The quality of the snakeskin is such that when wet, it becomes flexible, making it possible to stretch and change the pitch.