ABSTRACT
Musical instruments in South Asia reflect the complex political and social history of the region. Some instruments are traceable to early periods through texts and iconography; others are more recent, having been brought to the subcontinent by successive waves of settlers from the Middle East and Europe. Oral, written, and visual sources tell a fascinating story of musical continuity and change, as musicians have appropriated or modified instruments to accommodate changing musical demands. Each instrument has its own story of physical origins and development and a colorful history of changing musical uses, offering a window into the musical and cultural conditions of its time.
