Santoor is a string instrument of
Jammu and Kashmir. Formerly, it was played along with wasul, a Pakhawaj-like instrument. Santoor is a vital accompaniment for a type of classical music named Soofiana Kalam. It can also produce intricate musical forms such as gamaka and meend.
Santoor is a trapezium shaped box, which consists of 30 bridges arranged in 15 rows. Also included are four metal strings. The instrument is played with a pair of carved sticks, which are 6-7 inches. The long strings produce base sound and short strings control the high pitched sound.
Some of the leading exponents of Santoor are Shivkumar Sharma and Bhajan Sopori.
