Santoor

The Indian Santoor instrument is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer. It is called the Shata Tantri Vina in ancient texts meaning "the Vina with a hundred strings." It is a variation of the Iranian Santur. The instrument is generally made of walnut, and it has twenty-five bridges. Each bridge has four strings, making for a total of hundred strings. It is a traditional instrument in Jammu and Kashmir and was used in folk music; today, it has made a place in classical music. Santoor is played with a pair of light wooden mallets held with both hands.