There are two systems of music in India,the carnatic and the hindustani,which are highly gramatised.These are supplemented by folk music,bhajans and kirtans.The basic character of Indian music is its emphasis on melody.
The flute,nadaswaram,veena,gotuvadyam,thavil,mridangam and plain drum are some of the ancient instruments of music in India.the sitar and tabala were late comers.