Harmonium

The British introduced harmoniums to India during the colonial period. They were quickly adopted by the India cultures. Harmoniums are in the family of free-reed aerophones. Harmoniums resemble small, tabletop size organs. Each harmonium has a bellows at the back that is pumped by one hand while the other hand plays the keyboard. The most common playing position is to place the harmonium on the floor and sit, cross-legged, in front of it. You can play the keys with your dominant hand while your other hand works the bellows, but most often the right hand plays the keys. You can also place the harmonium on a table and sit in a chair while you play.