Structure: Sitar is a plucked string instrument with a long neck, 19 to 21 movable frets, and 6 to 7 main strings. It has 13 to 17 sympathetic strings running beneath the main strings.
Built Type: Hollow body made of wood, often with a gourd resonator.
Origin: India (Northern region, primarily associated with Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Pt. Ravi Shankar

Structure: A pair of small, drum-like instruments – one (bayan) is made of metal, the other (dayan) of wood or clay, both tuned to different pitches.
Built Type: Hollow wooden shell, leather or metal surfaces.
Origin: India (associated with Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Ustad Zakir Hussain

Structure: A large, long-necked string instrument with 3 to 4 main strings and 22-24 frets. It has a large, resonating wooden body.
Built Type: Traditionally made of wood, gourd resonator.
Origin: South India (Carnatic classical music)
Famous Person: Mysore T. Chowdiah

Structure: A transverse flute made from bamboo.
Built Type: Bamboo body, holes for finger placement.
Origin: North India (Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia

Structure: A fretless, lute-like instrument with a metal fingerboard and a large wooden body.
Built Type: Wooden body, metal strings.
Origin: India (primarily used in Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

Structure: A barrel-shaped drum, with two heads made of leather, played by fingers.
Built Type: Hollow wooden shell, covered with animal skin heads.
Origin: South India (Carnatic classical music)
Famous Person: Palghat Mani Iyer

Structure: A double-reed woodwind instrument, typically made from wood or metal, with seven finger holes.
Built Type: Wooden body, metal bell.
Origin: North India (Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Ustad Bismillah Khan

Structure: A drone instrument with 4 or 5 strings, providing a continuous harmonic background.
Built Type: Wooden body, resonator made of gourd or metal.
Origin: India (both Hindustani & Carnatic music)
Famous Person: Developed widely in Carnatic music by Sangita Kalanidhi M. Balamuralikrishna

Structure: A double-headed drum played with both hands, typically larger than the tabla.
Built Type: Wooden body, leather heads.
Origin: North India (Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Shubhendra Rao

Structure: A reed organ with keys and bellows, played by pushing and pulling.
Built Type: Metal reeds, wooden body.
Origin: Europe, adapted for Indian classical music.
Famous Person: Ustad Amir Khan

Structure: A string instrument with plucked strings and resonating chambers.
Built Type: Wooden body, metal strings.
Origin: North India (Hindustani classical music)
Famous Person: Bhai Mardana

Structure: Trapezoid-shaped instrument with 100+ strings, played with wooden mallets.
Built Type: Walnut or tun wood, steel strings.
Origin: Kashmir region.
Famous Person: Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.

Structure: Small frame drum with lizard-skin membrane and a single metal jingle.
Built Type: Jackfruit wood, monitor lizard skin.
Origin: South India.
Famous Person: G. Harishankar.

Structure: Clay pot with narrow mouth, struck with hands.
Built Type: Clay mixed with iron/copper filings.
Origin: South India.
Famous Person: Vikku Vinayakram.

Structure: The Indian classical violin has four strings and is played sitting cross-legged, with the scroll resting on the ankle and the body on the chest or collarbone.
Built Type: It is made of spruce and maple wood with steel or synthetic strings and a horsehair bow.
Origin: Though European in origin, it was adapted into Indian classical music in the 18th century, especially in South India.
Famous Person: Lalgudi G. Jayaraman is a legendary Carnatic violinist known for his expressive and innovative playing.