According to Bharat Muni in Natya Shastra, Ghan Vadya is also

The correct answer is solid.

Key Points

• According to Bharat Muni's Natya Shastra, musical instruments are categorized into four types: Tata Vadya (string), Sushira Vadya (wind), Avanaddha Vadya (percussion), and Ghan Vadya (solid).
• Ghan Vadya refers to solid instruments which produce sound by being struck or shaken, without the need for stretched membranes or strings.
• Examples of Ghan Vadya include manjira (cymbals), ghungroo (anklets with bells), and jhanjh (large cymbals).
• These instruments are primarily used in traditional Indian music to enhance rhythmic patterns and are integral to folk and classical performances.
• Natya Shastra, authored by Bharat Muni, is one of the oldest texts on performing arts, providing foundational insights into music, dance, and drama in ancient India.

Additional Information

• Natya Shastra:
  • Written by Bharat Muni, it is an ancient Sanskrit treatise on performing arts, covering music, dance, drama, and aesthetics.
  • The text is believed to have been composed between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
  • It provides a detailed classification of musical instruments and their roles in performances.
• Classification of Musical Instruments:
  • Tata Vadya: String instruments like veena and sitar, producing sound through vibration of strings.
  • Sushira Vadya: Wind instruments like flute and shehnai, producing sound by blowing air.
  • Avanaddha Vadya: Percussion instruments like tabla and mridangam, producing sound through stretched membranes.
  • Ghan Vadya: Solid instruments like bells, cymbals, and gongs, producing sound when struck or shaken.
• Manjira:
  • A traditional Indian percussion instrument made of brass or bronze.
  • It is played by striking two cymbals together to produce rhythmic sounds.
• Ghungroo:
  • Small metallic bells strung together, often worn by dancers around their ankles.
  • Used to accentuate the rhythmic beats during performances.