The shehnai or shenai is a reedpipe from India with a wooden conical body measuring around 45 cm and 6 to 9 fingerholes, some of which are used for tuning purposes and are often partially or entirely closed with wax. The shehnai uses a twin double reed (pattur) which makes it quatruple reedipe instrument.
Although folk oboes existed in India before the time of the Moghul Empire the shenai is thought to have developed from the Persian surnai that was brought to India by the moghuls. Legend has it that it was introduced to replace the pungi, a shrill single reed instrument used for snake charming. Originally rather a folk instrument used in weddings, processions and in temples, ithe shenai was introduced to Indian classical music in the early 20th century. Well known masters of the shehnai are Ustad Bismillah Khan and the North American jazz musician Yusef Lateef.
