What is Shehnai?
A '''Shehnai''' is a [[South Asia]]n music instrument which is normally played at marriages and other ceremonies, rites and rituals. The word itself is of [[Turkish language|Turkish]] origin, combining 'Sheh' (or 'Shah') 'Royal' and '-Nai' or 'Ney', a type of '''Flute'''. A version of the ''Shehnai'', the ''Surnai'', is also played in the Northern and North-western areas of [[India]] and [[Pakistan]], in particular at traditional [[Polo]] matches.<ref>HW McNeil, ''A Journey up the Karakoram Highway'', London, 1992, pp.134-135</ref> Also referred as Nadasvaram in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is usually made of wood and it has to be blown like a flute to play it. Ustaad Bismillah Khan is considered as the maestro of Shehnai. [[File:Shehnai.jpg|right|thumb]] ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Flutes]]