Indian instruments can be broadly classified into three categories, classical, western and folk and they are still used in the composition of the two types of classical Hindi music. These two types of Indian music are Carnatic music and Hindustani music.
Indian instruments are normally just the same everywhere in India. Classical Indian music is divided into two main branches -- the north and the south Indian music. Carnatic music is for the south Indian and this is named after the southern Indian State of Karnataka while Hindustani is for North Indian music which is called Hindustani and it is named after the Hindi speaking region in the northwestern part of India.
Because of the family system called Gharana which also means Family, Hindustanic music has never been considered as unified one. It is because there are already many types coming out for the past years and it has influenced greatly. Its geographical location is where originally the names of gharana where taken and it's also where the music came from. The term itself in the literal form means house, and it specifically means a house of a teacher. Each and every Gharana or Hindustani music possesses a well-maintained and one of a kind music composition, with its original style, discipline and system as well.
Carnatic music is often dubbed temple music, whether it may be vocal or instrumental music, it is always devoted and directed to a deity from the Hindu pantheon. It is also the music of religious dances which has light and complex rhythms. Unlike its northern cousin, Carnatic music is almost totally unified though there are different schools that are based on the same three hundred ragas, some schools specialize on solo Indian instruments like the veeng and flute to name a few. Though it is unified, Carnatic music is more focused in achieving a personal or individual style rather than mastering a specific musical style like that found in the north.
Though aside from the Carnatic and Hindustani music, folk Indian music on the other hand has various forms which are primarily dependent on the region or location it belongs to. It is not bound by any pattern or musical law, so this makes this kind of music flexible in expression. Folk music, though peculiar, has its own expressions and emotions that have been established as its own tradition.
Among the various styles of music found in India, more often than not they use the same Indian instruments to play their tune. One instrument that is particularly used in any of the above mentioned styles is the Sitar. It the most popular stringed instrument in India and it has been used for more than 700 years. It is made out of a seasoned gourd and teakwood that has twenty metal frets with around six or seven playing strings, accompanied with nineteen sympathetic strings below. The sitar is usually played with a plectrum that is worn on the musician's finger. The instrument itself has a very long and complex history and heritage. Its origin goes back to ancient times. When anyone thinks about Indian instruments, most of the time it is the Sitar the first comes to mind.
If you want to listen and feel the beat of ethnic musical instruments, you should try Indian Instruments. It has a distinct sound that creates music to hear. Or you may want to try alexandria doumbek.