Names of Musical Instuments in Hindi and English
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On this page you will find information about the names of different types of music instruments in the Hindi language.
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As we begin to learn a new language, the names of various musical instruments also constitute an interesting category of words to learn. Here we are going to learn about the different names used for commonly used musical instruments in the Hindi language.
The Hindi names of the musical instruments have been provided alongside their English meanings in a list to help readers learn them.
The Hindi language is written with Devanagari script, but the Hindi names for the musical instruments in this article have also been provided in the Roman letters for the ease of understanding of English readers.
| English Name | Hindi Name |
|---|---|
Drum | Dhol |
Flute | Bansuri |
Clarinet | Shahnayi |
Harmonium | Harmonium |
Guitar | Gitar |
Pellet Drum | Damaroo |
Tabor | Tabla |
Harp | Veena |
Conch | Shankh |
Bell | Ghanti |
Tembourine | Dafli |
Drum
The Hindi name for the drum is dhol.
Cultural Significance
The drum has an important role in Indian culture. The Indian people believe all of their special events and joys should be celebrated with vigour. An intensely loud musical instrument is required for such kinds of celebrations. Nothing compares with drum in terms of sound intensity. That's why it's the first choice for them to celebrate their fun and enjoyable moments.
Whether there is a wedding ceremony, a newborn baby in the house or a wrestling tournament you can certainly see a drummer at the moment.
Flute
The word for a flute in Hindi is bansuri.
Cultural Significance
The flute is of great importance to Hindus and the whole Indian culture. Lord Krishna of the Hindus is depicted in sculptures and decorations as having a flute in his hand. The presence of the flute may be widely felt in Hindi songs even nowadays.
A statue of Lord Krishna representing the Lord playing the flute.
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Clarinet
The word for clarinet in Hindi language is shehnayi.
Harmonium
A harmonium is called harmonium in Hindi.
Knowledge base
The harmonium did not get a Hindi name because it is not a native musical instrument of India. It was first introduced into India during British rule. For this reason it is always called with the English name "harmonium" in Hindi.
Guitar
The Hindi word for guitar is gitar.
Knowledge base
The "guitar" as a musical instrument of its sister concerns "the harmonium" was likewise nominated in Hindi.
Pellet Drum
The name for pellet drum in Hindi is damaroo.
Cultural Significance
The pellet drum has been highly important in Indian culture for centuries. This is a musical instrument related to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is represented in the idols as holding a Trishula in the hand with which a pellet drum is bound to. Thus, you can see a pellet drum in many temples in India.
An idol of Lord Shiva with a pellet drum tied to the Trishula.
Tabor
The name for tabor in Hindi is tabla.
Harp
The harp is called veena in Hindi.
Cultural Significance
Harp is a true symbol of art and culture for Indian people. The reason is that because it is associated with the goddess Saraswati of Hindu faith. Goddess Saraswati is a goddess of music, art, knowledge and wisdom. She is still depicted in images and idols as holding an Indian harp in her hands.
An idol of godess Saraswati holding a harp in hands.
Image by user SandeepHanda via pixabay.com under public domain
Conch
A conch is called shankh in Hindi.
Cultural Significance
The conch is another remarkable thing in Indian culture. It served to announce the beginning of a war in ancient times. Religious texts such as Mahabharata mention different conch shells performed by the armies of Pandavas and Kaurvas to mark the beginning of the Great War. Unfortunately, a conch is also performed while taking a corpse to the morgue among the Hindu people.
Bell
The music instrument bell is called ghanti in Hindi.
Cultural Significance
A bell can be seen in any Hindu temple in India. People rings the bell while entering the temple for worship. It is the most played instrument in India.
Tambourine
The Hindi name for a tambourine is dafli.
It's the quiz time now!
For each question, choose the best answer. The answer key is below.
- What would you call the flute in Hindi language?
- Bansuri
- Tabla
- What is the Hindi name for drum?
- Dhol
- Shankh
- The harp is called veena in Hindi.
- True
- False
Answer Key
- Bansuri
- Dhol
- True
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2021 Sourav Rana
