Tokyo [Japan], July 13 (ANI): Indian Embassy in Tokyo on Monday shared the history and cultural allure of the Santoor after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi performed the instrument alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Takaichi’s act drew the attention of millions to this instrument that has been passed down through centuries in Indian culture.
“Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s performance of the Santoor with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deeply moved audiences around the world. However, this fascinating instrument has remained a part of India’s cultural heritage for centuries,” the Embassy said.
The Santoor has global roots and an Indian identity.
The Embassy noted, “A type of hammered string instrument, it belongs to the hammered dulcimer (trapezoidal zither) family, which is thought to have originated in Persia. It has about 100 strings and is played with two light wooden mallets (mezrab). Similar instruments are found in Asia and various parts of Europe, but the Indian santur has undergone its own unique evolution in Kashmir. Ancient Sanskrit texts describe it as a ‘hundred-stringed veena,’ indicating the tradition of this instrument in India.”
#高市首相のインド訪問 #年次首脳会談
🎶🎶🎶
ニューデリーを訪問中の高市首相がモディ首相と共にサントゥールを演奏したことで、数世紀にわたりインド文化の中で受け継がれてきたこの楽器が何百万人もの人の注目を集めました。スワイプしてサントゥールの歴史と文化的な魅力をご覧ください。… pic.twitter.com/SfAoWGu24Z
— インド大使館 || India in Japan 🇮🇳 (@IndianEmbTokyo) July 13, 2026
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma popularized the Santoor, taking it to the global stage.
“In the 20th century, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma reconstructed the santur, a Hindustani classical music instrument, introducing it to audiences worldwide and spreading it globally, making it one of India’s most recognized classical instruments,” the embassy noted.
The Santoor is crafted from walnut wood and played with a light and flexible wooden mallet.
“From Kashmir to the Concert Stage: The santoor, traditionally used in the Sufi music of the Kashmir region, “Sfiana Mausikyi,” has been a beloved accompaniment instrument for religious and folk music for centuries. It is characterized by being carefully crafted from walnut wood and played with a light and flexible wooden mallet (mezrab) made of walnut wood. Similar instruments can be found in various parts of Asia and Europe, but the Kashmiri santur has developed uniquely, inheriting the finest of Kashmiri craftsmanship,” the embassy noted.
On July 2, at the luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Modi, there was entertainment with performances on traditional instruments.
モディ首相主催の昼食会での一コマ。昼食会では、伝統楽器による演奏のおもてなしがありました。終わり頃、奏者の皆さんに感謝を述べた高市総理は、奏者の方のお誘いで、伝統楽器サントゥールを試しに弾かせていただいて、、、モディ首相も笑顔で拍手👏 pic.twitter.com/0JdiqOtHge
— 内閣広報官（色々投稿試し中） (@PressSec_JP) July 2, 2026
Takaichi, after expressing thanks to all the performers, was invited by one of the musicians to try playing the traditional instrument. She tried her hand at it and earned applause from everyone there. (ANI)
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