Shehnai is an Indian Instrument. The name of Shehnaai is of Persian origin (Persian 'shah': King and nai: wind instrument).
The sound of this beautiful instrument is considered as auspicious. In the past, shehnaai was part of the naubat or traditional ensembles of nine instruments found at royal courts. Since long it has been played in temples, wedding ceremony and now-a-days in public concerts as well. The credit for bringing this instrument on the high pedestal of classical music goes to Ustad Bismillah Khan Sahib.

The Shehnai is a tube that gradually widens towards the lower end, has usually seven or eight holes. The instrument is made up of dark, close grained brown or black wood, preferably Saga, Burma Teak or Sheesham. It has a metal bell of brass coated with chromium, fixed to the broader end. The length of the instrument is one and a half to two feet. The reed is fixed at the narrow blowing end of the blowing tube. The broader end is mounted upon the narrower end of the woden part of the Shehnai. The reeds used in Shehnai are made up of patta grass which usually grows in the rivers of Northeren India or the leaves of palm-tree known as 'Taad' in India. Spare reeds are mounted in a clamp called 'Chapeel', are further attached to the mouth piece, as and when required. The wooden part of the instrument is carved out and shaped from its outer side by a small mini lathe machine as shown in the adjoining photograph. Shehnai is a most sensitive and intricate Indian musical wind instrument. It is actually the way the lips and tongue play upon the reed mouthpiece and the manner in which the holes are opened or closed with the fingers along with tremendous lung-power, breath-control and ofcourse the regular practise and intellect of the performer which render the semitone and quarter tones very effectively and attractively.

Courtsey: Shailesh Bhagwat