Santoor

The Indian santoor instrument is a trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer, and a variation of the Iranian santur.

It is a traditional instrument in Jammu and Kashmir, and dates back to ancient times.

Some researchers slot it as an improvised version of a primitive instrument played in the Mesopotamian times (1600–900 B.C.

[citation needed] In Indian santoor playing, the specially-shaped mallets (mezrab) are lightweight and are held between the index and middle fingers.

On the top board, also known as the soundboard, wooden bridges are placed, in order to seat stretched metal strings across.