Santoor Instrument: History, Types, Parts and How It Works

Quick Summary

Santoor Musical Instrument at a Glance

Introduction

If you have heard the bell-like tones of the santoor you know its sound is magical. It is often described as a mix of string and percussion sounds. It has carved a place in Indian classical music even though it entered the mainstream only recently.

For beginners who wonder about this instrument, questions often come up: Where did it come from? What types exist? How is it built?. How does it actually work? This guide will walk through everything you need to know about the santoor in language good for learners of any age.

Whether you’re exploring traditional Indian musical instrument options or simply want to understand how sound is created on the santoor, this post will give you a solid foundation.

What Is a Santoor Instrument?

The santoor is a stringed instrument that belongs to the hammered dulcimer family. Unlike the sitar or sarod which are plucked, the santoor makes sound when its metal strings are gently struck with mallets called mezrab.

The instrument has a wooden body (soundbox) with anywhere from 72 to more than 100 metal strings stretched across it.

These strings rest on bridges that divide the strings into different pitches. When you strike a string with the mezrab the vibration moves through the bridge to the soundboard producing the santoors resonant tone.

In music the santoor is normally made of walnut wood and has about 25 bridges, each holding four strings for a total of around 100 strings. This rich string arrangement lets players produce melodies and detailed ornamentations.

10 Ragas to Hear on the Santoor Musical Instrument

Santoor Instrument Origin and History

Early Origins

The origin of the santoor is debated however most scholars agree that the santoor began in ancient Persia, which is the modern country of Iran. The word ‘santoor’ comes from a word that means ‘hundred strings.’ Some historical references say that similar hammered dulcimer instruments existed in culture from 2,000 to 3,500 years ago.

Ancient Indian texts also mention an instrument called the ‘shata veena,’ which means hundred stringed veena. This suggests that India may have had its version of a multi zither long before the Persian santoor arrived. Still the santoor that we know today is widely believed to have roots.

Development in Kashmir

The santoor found a home in the Kashmir valley. There it became a part of folk music and Sufi music. Kashmiri craftsmen began building santoor instruments using wood that is found locally. This gave the santoor a tone that fits the region’s musical traditions.

In Kashmir the santoor accompanied Sufi music and folk songs for centuries. It was played in homes at gatherings and during ceremonies. The santoors’ gentle sustained sound made it ideal for the quality of Sufi music.

Santoor in Indian Classical Music

For a time the santoor was mainly seen as a folk or accompaniment instrument. That changed in the twentieth century when maestros such as Pandit Shivkumar Sharma began adapting the santoor for Hindustani music.

Pandit Shivkumar Sharma is widely credited with transforming the santoor into a solo concert instrument. He modified the santoors structure making it larger adding strings and refining the placement of bridges. These changes helped the santoor meet the demands of ragas and intricate improvisation.

Today, the santoor is a staple in instruments used in hindustani classical music, and artists like Ulhas Bapat, Bhajan Sopori, and Kiranpal Singh have continued to expand its repertoire.

Types of Santoor

While the basic design remains similar the santoor has evolved into variations. Here are the main types that you will encounter:

1. Indian Santoor

The Indian santoor is wider and more rectangular than the santoor. It typically has between 25 and 31 bridges. Each bridge holds three or four strings. In total the Indian santoor has between 90 and more than 100 strings.

Made mainly from wood the Indian santoor is designed to produce notes that are suitable for the meend technique of gliding and the gamak technique of ornamentation.

The santoor’s mallets, called mezrab, are lightweight and made of wood. They do not have. Cotton wrapping. This allows strikes.

2. Kashmiri Santoor

The Kashmiri santoor is the traditional version used in folk and Sufi music of the Kashmir valley. It’s slightly smaller than the modern Indian classical santoor and often features decorative inlay work.

The number of strings can vary, but it generally has around 72 to 90 strings grouped in sets of three.

Kashmiri santoor mallets are typically made from walnut wood, matching the instrument’s body, and produce a softer, more mellow tone suited to folk melodies.

3. Persian Santur

The Persian santur is the ancestor of the Indian santoor. It has a more pronounced trapezoidal shape and typically features two sets of nine bridges, providing a range of about three diatonic octaves. The strings are grouped in courses of three or four, totaling around 72 strings.

Persian santur mallets (also called mezrab) are feather-light and often have tips wrapped in cotton or felt, producing a softer attack compared to the Indian style.

4. Middle Eastern and Regional Variations

Beyond Persia and India, similar hammered dulcimers exist across the Middle East and Central Asia. The Iraqi santur, Turkish santur, and Azerbaijani santur all share the basic trapezoidal design but differ in size, number of strings, and tuning systems.

These regional variations reflect local musical traditions, with some instruments tuned to microtonal scales unique to their culture.

Parts of Santoor

Understanding the parts of the santoor helps you appreciate how it produces sound and why each component matters.

1. Wooden Body or Soundbox

The main structure of the santoor is a box, usually trapezoidal or rectangular in shape. In santoor the box is normally made from walnut wood but teak and maple are also used. The body of the santoor acts as a resonating chamber amplifying the vibrations that come from the strings.

2. Soundboard

The top surface of the santoor is called the soundboard. This is where the bridges are placed and where the strings are stretched. The soundboard of the santoor is often made from wood, sometimes plywood or veneer that vibrates freely to project sound.

3. Metal Strings

The santoor has between 72 and over 100 metal strings depending on the type of santoor. These strings are usually made of steel or brass. Are grouped in sets of three or four per bridge. Each group of strings is tuned to the pitch creating a fuller tone when the santoor is struck.

4. Bridges

Bridges are pieces placed on the soundboard of the santoor. They lift the strings off the board. Transfer vibrations from the strings to the body of the santoor. Indian santoor usually has 25 to 31 bridges allowing players to adjust tuning for ragas.

5. Tuning Pins and Pegs

On one side of the santoor steel tuning pins or pegs are used to tighten or loosen the strings. By turning these pins with a tuning player can adjust the pitch of each string group on the santoor to match the desired scale.

6. String Hooks or Nails

On the side, from the tuning pins strings are secured using nails or hooks. These hold the strings in place on the santoor once they have been threaded through the tuning pins and stretched across the bridges.

7. Mallets or Mezrab

The mezrab are mallets held between the thumb, index and middle fingers. In santoor playing the mezrab are typically made of walnut. Have no padding allowing for precise articulate strikes on the santoor. Persian santur mallets may have cotton. Felt tips for a sound.

8. Sound Holes

Some santoor instruments have sound holes cut into the body or soundboard. These holes help project sound outward. Can affect the quality and resonance of the santoor.

How Is the Santoor Played?

Playing the santoor requires coordination, rhythm, and a gentle touch. Here’s a basic overview:

1. Posture: Sit comfortably with your back straight. Place the santoor on your lap or on a low table at a height where your arms can move freely.
2. Holding the Mezrab: Hold one mallet in each hand between your thumb, index, and middle fingers. Your grip should be firm but relaxed, allowing wrist movement.
3. Striking the Strings: Use your wrists (not your whole arm) to strike the strings lightly. Alternate between your right and left hands for smooth, flowing melodies.
4. Playing Scales: Begin by practicing simple scales like Bilawal (equivalent to the major scale). This helps you learn the string layout and build muscle memory.
5. Rhythm and Timing: Use a metronome or tabla accompaniment to develop steady timing. The santoor’s percussive nature makes rhythm especially important.

For beginners, consistent practice with proper guidance is key. Many students can play simple pieces within 3–6 months of regular practice. If you’re interested in structured learning, you can explore options to learn hindustani music online with certified teachers who can guide you step-by-step.

Difference Between Santoor and Other String Instruments

Conclusion

The santoor instrument is a blend of history, craftsmanship and musical innovation. From its origins to its development in Kashmir and its eventual place on the Hindustani stage the santoor has a rich story to tell.

We find that understanding the parts of santoor santoor types and how santoor works gives you an appreciation for the skill required to play santoor. Whether you are drawn to the shimmering tone of santoor or curious about how santoor fits into music santoor offers a path for learners of all ages.

If you’re inspired to explore further, Artium Academy offers structured, 1:1 live classes with certified teachers who can guide you through your musical journey. You can also learn devotional music online or explore our free music tools to build your skills at your own pace.

Want to learn singing along with santoor? Book your free 1:1 trial class with Artium Academy and learn from certified teachers at your own pace.