Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu have their distinct and rich stock of instrumental music. The Following are the instruments which are used with the folk music of Kashmir, followed by the description of those instruments which are used with the Sufiana Mosiqui. The ancient musical instruments used in Kashmir have been more or less a reflection of the Indian musical instruments in usage during that time.
According to Pandit Kalhana, the folk musical instruments like eastern pots, brass vessels etc were used by Kashmiri people from very early times. In Kashmir 4th Century A.D. tile, found during excavation from Harvan, is showing the impression of a female musician playing on a drum. The other person is shown playing a Veena in an artistic pastime. The King Bhiksacara (1120-21) A.D., who himself played these instruments was fond of “Chhakri” (folk choral singing) which continues to be popular in Kashmir Valley since Kalhana’s time and even earlier to that.
According to V.N.Bhatkhande, the Muslim rulers had brought with their own system of music with new melodies, new interpretations, new types of songs and new talas, which in course of time got fused with Hindu music and gave rise to modern Hindustani music. In a similar way, artists from central Asia, during Sultanate Period brought with them their art, music, musical instruments and culture resulting in wonderful interaction which in course of time gave birth to Kashmiri Classical music which is known as Sufiana Mosiqui. It borrowed its style from Persian music. It was in this period that Kashmiri music reached the heights of perfection under the patronage of rulers and Saints. The instruments like Santoor, Saaz, Setar, Rabab and Sarangi are resultant inventions and innovations and denote the development, which took place during this period. The instruments used by the Kashmiri Sufiana Mosiqui are quite different from those used in Kashmiri folk music. The prominent instruments include Santoor, Setar, and Saaz-i-Kashmir, the percussion instrument for providing rhythmic variety is Tabla which replaced Dolke.
