Pashto Musical Instruments

Prof. Dr. Raj Wali Shah Khattak

It has been the tradition of Pashto musical concerts that first of all the orchestra - form a symphony called Saaz. The different saazes are for different occasions. Before starting the traditional concert. The saaz of shan is played with full orchestra. The full orchestra consist on the following musical instruments.

1. Dhol (Drum
2. Tabla (Tambourine)
3. Rabab (Traditional Guitar)
4. Sitar (Local Three strings guitar)
5. Baja (Harmonium)
6. Sarinda (Fiddle)
7. Surna (Piper)
8. Shpelai (Flute)

With all these instruments and some other modern instruments the orchestra starts, before the singing session.