Loading AI tools
Indian reed musical instrument From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The shehnai, is a type of oboe originating from the Indian subcontinent.[1] It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.[2][3][4] It was one of the nine instruments found in the royal court. The shehnai is similar to South India's nadaswaram.
| |
| Other names | Sharnai, Saanai, Sahnai, Sanai, Serunai, Shahnai, Shanai, Shenai, Shenoy, Sahnai, Babol Basi |
|---|---|
| Classification | |
| Related instruments | |
| |
This tubular instrument gradually broadens towards the lower end. It usually has between six and nine holes. It employs one set of quadruple reeds, making it a quadruple reed woodwind. To master the instrument, the musician must employ various and intricate embouchure and fingering techniques.[2]
The shehnai has a range of two octaves, from the A below middle C to the A one line above the treble clef (A3 to A5 in scientific pitch notation). A shehnai is often but not always made with a body of wood or bamboo and a flared metal end.[5]
The shehnai is thought to have been developed by improving upon the pungi[citation needed] (a woodwind folk instrument used primarily for snake charming).
The counterparts to the shehnai played in Western India and Coastal Karnataka are indigenous to the territory. Shehnai players were/are an integral part of Goan/Konkani region and the temples along the western coast and the players are called Vajantri and were allotted lands for services- rendered to the temples.[6]
It takes a lot of effort to play these instruments. The performance of the instrumentalist is essential, especially for the long and fast-paced song. [7] In the Kannada film Sanaadi Appanna this instrument was used widely.
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
