6 most famous Indian instrumentalists and their iconic tools

Instrumentalists are often seen as the ‘background people’, with the singers and musicians taking away all the fame and love. But, as time went on, the instrumentalists got the love and adoration that they deserved. And slowly, in numerous musicals and concerts, people used to go just to hear the Sitar player, or the person on the Tabla, or just the man who played the flute. Exclusive concerts and sittings used to be organised, and people could enjoy the sound of music, the ‘background’ tunes, and the instruments that were brought to life. And so, here we mention the 6 most famous and iconic Indian instrumentalists and what they played.

(Image: CoPilot AI)

Pandit Ravi Shankar, the man who made the Sitar famous for India and Indians, is also one of the most well-known sitar players in the world. He was a ‘Shishya’ (student) of Allaudin Khan, and grew up to develop a unique style that blended traditional Indian ragas with Western music influences. And then in the 1960s, Pandit Ravi Shankar became a rage in the classical music genre when he partnered with The Beatles, and took the Sitar on a global stage. (Image: bharat.ratna.ravi.shankar/Instagram)

Ustad Zakir Hussain is famous as one of the greatest tabla players in the world, and is absolutely iconic when he is up on the stage. Listening to his renditions, and seeing the way he taps on the Table is a mesmerising sight, and can enchant anyone! He is known for his speed, precision, and rhythm, and is one of the best Tabla players, having a mastery over complex rhythms.
Zakir Hussain’s collaborations with international musicians, and with different bands, took the Tabla to a global stage, and he also introduced tabla to jazz music.

(Image: zakirhq9/Instagram)

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia chose a rather simple, everyday instrument, and decided to take it global, make it iconic, and carve a name for himself in the classical genre. Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia is an iconic Indian classical flutist, and his mastery is with the Bansuri. His music is known for its softness, sweet tunes, depth, and the ability to convey beautifully complex emotions.

(Image: pthariprasadchaurasia_flute/Instagram)

Dr. L. Subramaniam is a famous Indian violinist and is trained in Carnatic and Western classical music. In fact, the quality that contributed to his acclaimed nature was his talent, and ability to blend Indian and Western classical styles. Dr. L. Subramaniam is credited with making the violin popular in the Indian classic scene, especially the Carnatic music genre, and the way he plays his instrument, with love, passion, and emotional depth, is worth a watch.
(Image: drlsubramaniam/Instagram)

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is one of the most famous sarod players, and is known for his lyrical style. Seeing or hearing him, even through videos online, can invoke deep feelings within people, and it is clear on his face (and his hands) how much he loves the craft.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan’s playing style is distinct for its use of long, singing notes that mimic the human voice, allowing him to express the ragas with extraordinary feeling.(Image: aaksarod/Instagram)

An instrument that was only seen in weddings and events was brought to the limelight of classical music by Ustad Bismillah Khan. The instrument, Shehnai, was what shot Ustad ji to fame, and vice versa. It is said that he began to learn to play the shehnai, a wind instrument, at the young age of 6, and from then on it was just upwards for him and his craft. The highlight of Ustad Bismillah Khan’s performance was when he played the Shehnai at the Red Fort on India’s Independence Day, and rooted his position as an exceptional Shehnai player. (Image: ustad.bismillahkhan_official/Instagram)