6 Indian Instruments that are Almost Extinct Now

India is best known for its rich and diversified art and cultures that inspired the whole world, especially when it comes to music. While most global music artists know India for its traditional instruments like Tabla, Veena, Sitar, Jaltarang, Shenahi, and many others; there are also many ancient instruments in the country that are almost verge of extinction now.

Even though Indians like to take immense pride in their rich musical culture, modern age music lovers prefer international collaborations and live tours more than their own classical and folk roots. As a result, the practice and cultivation of these ancient instruments are no longer a part of the industry, and thus, it is becoming extinct. While most of these instruments have offered notable contributions to the revolution of Indian music, many of them have already disappeared in the 1980s and 1990s with the influence of new-age music. Let’s not forget the rich tapestry of Indian music and the instruments that helped it grow. It is time to take a look back at these instruments in order to retain the legacy and original roots of the Indian music industry.

6 Almost Extinct Indian Music Instruments 

    • Mayuri

Some people might find some similarities between a veena and a mayuri. However, a greater similarity of the instrument can be found with a ‘Peacock’, which is why it received its unique name. It is a bowed wooden instrument that resembles the shape of a bird. Thanks to ancient craftsmanship, this musical instrument almost looks like a Peacock standing with a long fretboard on its back. The instrument also includes the real feathers and bill of the peacock and creating that iconic resemblance.

There are a total of 16 frets on the board, which is complemented by fifteen sympathetic strings and four melody strings. It produces a harmonic melody, which was an important part of Indian classical music. The instrument is considered to be associated with Saraswati, the Indian Goddess of music, and it is claimed to be a symbol of courtship. The musical instrument was created by the sixth Guru Har Govind, which is why there is a strong connection with Punjab as well. Rich yet mellow, this instrument offers a tantalizing tune that sounds quite engaging. Although it was almost extinct previously, the instrument is making an epic comeback in the industry, with Sikh music artists using it again to accompany their devotional musical creations.

    • Morchang

Morchang is the Indian Jaw Harp, which used to have a signature bird-like emblem on the top of it. It is a very small wind percussion instrument that can produce a distinctively strong sound. Playing this instrument is quite easy as it only involves the movement of your mouth and left or right hand based on preference. The instrument consists of a metal ring in the middle along with a metal tongue that allows creating different patterns of sounds. Morchang received a lot of attention in Rajasthani music as well as Carnatic Music in South which later on moved to Sindh in Pakistan. But now, it is quite hard to find.

On the contrast, jaw harp is getting immense amount popularity in the outer world and currently being played by many global musicians. Although they are not practicing the traditional roots of India, they are creating a fusion by utilizing its distinctive in the creative process of techno, EDM and other genres.

    • Nagfani

The word ‘Nagfani’ means the ‘snake hood’, which is mainly seen in the case of the cobra, and this nomenclature suits the instrument due to its unique shape that resembles the snake. The instrument is made from a long brass tube with serpentine curves, and there is a stylized hood, too, from which the blown air comes out. It was commonly seen around people who used to do tantric or mantrik ritual performances since it is known to be invoking and harnessing the serpent of Lord Shiva, who is the supreme Hindu God. The existence of Nagfani was founded in the Western regions of India, lying in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. However, its existence is fading fast as people have stopped playing this bold and powerful instrument.

    • Pena

Pena is an ancient instrument from the northeastern side of India, as its origin could be found in Manipur. This instrument is made from a slender Bamboo rod, which is further attached to a drum-like coconut shell, which allows creating a unique sound. There is also a long bow that helps to play this one-string instrument like a violin. Almost every other folk song in Manipur is performed along with the Pena, but the number of Pena Players is decreasing significantly, which threatens its extinction from the traditional music of India. Lai Haroba, the festival of the Meities, is celebrated in Manipur to embrace its cultural roots, and it is celebrated with the Pena players. There are only around 140 musicians who can play it now.

    • Yazh

Although harp has been considered to be originated in the ancient Egypt, India seems to be creating its own harp version as well. Yazh is the sweetest hard instrument that you would have ever listened too. It has a bow-like shape and a big oval base where the musician plays with both hands. The string of this instrument is fixed to a particular tone and scale which helps to create a unique sound.

The name of this instrument is given based on a mythological animal named Yali from where the instrument received its unique carved stem and the round tip. It was highly popular in classic Tamil music and widely mentioned in ancient literary works of Tamil Nadu. However, this instrument can be only found in the museums this days.

    • Ejuk/Tapang

Just like its unique name, this musical instrument is also quite unique in its shape and functionality. It is an ancient musical instrument from Assam, which is made from an inedible gourd called ‘Tita Lau’ or the bitter gourd. People often considered it the snake charmer’s flute, but it did not produce a similar sound. It is a wind instrument with a double barrel that could produce an amazing tune. However, the ‘Tita Lau’ is considered to be unholy for cultivation since it cannot be consumed as food. With a hefty influence of superstition, people stopped growing this inedible gourd, and that is how this instrument went through the slow death of extinction.

There is no doubt all of these instruments have been a major part of Indian folk and traditional music culture. However, if the modern generation does not cultivate these instruments; there is no way to bring them back from extinction.