Description: TheShenai or in North India “Mangal Vadya“ is a member of the double reed instrument family, the shenai has thought to have originated from the Kashmir valley. When played the sound of the shenai is recognized as auspicious in result it is used in North India for weddings, ceremonial processions, lunar occasions and festivals. In South India the Nadaswaram is closely identical the difference between the two is both the volume and length. The name shenai has derived from several words, these include [Saina] the name its player [she] meaning “breath” and [nai] meaning flute. In the Persian language the name shenai means [king] and [flute] or “the king's flute”. Along time ago a shah banned the punji in his court due to its shrill sound. So a barber belonging to a family of musicians is thought to improve the shenai from the punji. Another theory suggests the name Shenai. In the 1960s the Shenai found its self in a recording by George Harrison who introduced the shenai to its Western audiences.

Traditionally the shenai is played in pairs, the first shenai is a lead instrument and the [sur] is a drone instrument. Both of these instruments would often be accompanied by percussion. In Rajashan the shenai is accompanied by the Dukar-Tikar (a type of kettle drum) both are played in the Nagara genre. In the hands of a masterful player the shenai can express great subtleties in the performance. When learning the shenai a student undergoes long hours of practice, a lot of patience, circular breathing and a good set of lungs are required to fully master this instrument.

Anatomy of the Shenai: Constructed from wooden bore and has a metal flare attached at the end. Although depending on the folds of the reed the shenai can be considered a "quadruple read instrument". A brass tubing is inserted into the top of the shenai, multiple coloured thread is wrapped around the tubing for ornamentation. The grass read is then inserted into the brass tubing this creates the mouthpiece.