Shehnai

For the films, see Shehnai (1947 film) and Shehnai (1964 film).
Shehnai
Other namesSharnai, Saanai, Sahnai, Sanai, Serunai, Shahnai, Shanai, Shenai, Shenoy, Sahnai, Babol Basi
Classification
Related instruments

The shehnai, is a type of oboe originating from the Indian subcontinent.[1] It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.[2][3][4] It was one of the nine instruments found in the royal court. The shehnai is similar to South India's nadaswaram.

Characteristics

This tubular instrument gradually broadens towards the lower end. It usually has between six and nine holes. It employs one set of quadruple reeds, making it a quadruple reed woodwind. To master the instrument, the musician must employ various and intricate embouchure and fingering techniques.[2]

The shehnai has a range of two octaves, from the A below middle C to the A one line above the treble clef (A3 to A5 in scientific pitch notation). A shehnai is often but not always made with a body of wood or bamboo and a flared metal end.[5]

Origin of the shehnai

The shehnai is thought to have been developed by improving upon the pungi[citation needed] (a woodwind folk instrument used primarily for snake charming).

The counterparts to the shehnai played in Western India and Coastal Karnataka are indigenous to the territory. Shehnai players were/are an integral part of Goan/Konkani region and the temples along the western coast and the players are called Vajantri and were allotted lands for services- rendered to the temples.[6]

Music

It takes a lot of effort to play these instruments. The performance of the instrumentalist is essential, especially for the long and fast-paced song. [7] In the Kannada film Sanaadi Appanna this instrument was used widely.

  • The Nepalese version, called the sahane, has a curve and is played in the panche baja.
    The Nepalese version, called the sahane, has a curve and is played in the panche baja.
  • A shehnai player.
    A shehnai player.

Notable Indian shehnai players

Notes

  1. ^ Flora, Ries (1984). "Śahnāī". In Sadie, Stanley (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. Vol. 3. pp. 283–284.
  2. ^ a b "Shehnai | musical instrument". Britannica. www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  3. ^ Ranade. p. 307.
  4. ^ Hoiberg, p. 1
  5. ^ "shehnai". metmuseum.org. Allen Roda. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  6. ^ Gazetteer of the Union Territory Goa, Daman and Diu: district gazetteer, Volume 1. Gazetteer Dept., Govt. of the Union Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. 1979.
  7. ^ "Bismillah Khan | Biography, Music, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2024-08-07.

References