We’re kicking off Day Eleven of ‘12 Days of Milap’ by highlighting Instruments India – our fascinating and interactive digital archive. 

Created by Dr Manuella Blackburn in collaboration with Milap-associated musicians, Instruments India is a rich and varied resource of images, sounds and videos that explore the diversity of Indian music. The archive provides detailed information on a wide range of Indian instruments, including their origins and background, how it is played, the type of setting it is normally played in and what part of India it comes from. 

Designed for beginners, students, researchers, and curious listeners alike, Instruments India offers an opportunity to delve deeper into the stories and cultural contexts behind Indian music and instruments. Its high-quality recordings have been used for education, research and creative projects – bringing diverse audiences closer to the sounds and traditions of Indian classical music.

The archive has also inspired contemporary electronic works – redefining how Indian classical sounds can be reimagined in modern music. The recordings have also been compiled into a sample pack available for global use on Loopmasters, further extending the reach of Indian musical heritage into contemporary production in the industry. 

At its heart, Instruments India preserves and celebrates the sound, knowledge, diversity and legacy of Indian classical music, whilst allowing access to a global audience who are passionate about learning more.