Shehnai, Indian Musical Instrument

by ShalinIndia

Product Features

• A wind instrument from north India.
• Usually played on auspicious occasions in Hindu society.
• Length - 12.75 inches.
• Created by the music instrument craftsmen of Bareilli in India.

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• ASIN: B0013P74IM
• Item model number: MN-shehnai
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,873 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #3 in Musical Instruments > Folk & World Instruments > Wind Instruments > Shenais

Product Description

The Shehnai, or Mangal Vadya, is an aerophonic (wind) instrument, a double reed conical oboe, common in North India and West India, made out of wood, with a metal flare bell at the end. Its sound is thought to create and maintain a sense of auspiciousness and sanctity and, as a result, is widely used during marriages, processions, and in temples of West India. This tube-like instrument gradually broadens towards the lower end. It usually has between six and nine holes. It employs two sets of double reeds, making it a quadruple reed woodwind. By controlling the breath, various tunes can be played on it. The origin of North Indian shehnai is believed to be from persian Zurna. The shehnai is thought to have been created by improving upon the pungi (a woodwind folk instrument used primarily for snake charming).

Ustad (Master) Bismillah Khan was a well-known shehnai player. Another player of the shehnai is the Ahmadi Black American jazz musician, Yusef Lateef. Dave Mason played shehnai on the Rolling Stones' 1968 hit song "Street Fighting Man".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shehnai- Indian Clairnet Oboe, July 28, 2008

By 

Aradhana "Ani" (India) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shehnai, Indian Musical Instrument

Shehnai is considered to be the most auspicious instrument in India and that's why in temples or in weddings this is used as the main musical instrument. It is equivalent to clairnet and has double reed and 8 holes. Made of wood and brass, this instrument produces extremely melodious music.