Wind instruments contain some type of resonator (usually a tube), in which a column of air is set into vibration by the player blowing into (or over) a mouthpiece set at the end of the resonator. The pitch of the vibration is determined by the length of the tube and by manual modifications of the effective length of the vibrating column of air. Some wind instruments used for Indian music include the following:

Pungi
Pungi is a long bodied drum with both ends covered in skin and plays an important role in Manipuri dancing when it is played by men and women, either in a sitting position or standing position. A pungi or been is the musical instrument played by snake charmers. The Pungi was improved to form the Shehnai.

Bansuri
This is a transverse alto flute of India, made of a single length of bamboo with six or seven open finger holes. This instrument is basically associated with the love story of Krishna and Radha, and is depicted in Buddhist paintings from around 100 AD. The North Indian bansuri, typically about 14 inches long, was traditionally used as a soprano instrument primarily for accompaniment in lighter compositions including film music.

Venu
It is a bamboo transverse flute used in the Carnatic music of South India. One of the oldest musical instruments of India, the instrument is a keyless transverse flute made of bamboo. The fingers of both hands are used to close and open the holes. It has a blowing hole near one end, and eight closely placed finger holes. It also comes in various sizes. The venu is capable of producing two and half octaves with the help of blowing - overblowing and cross fingering. Sliding the fingers on and off the holes allows for a great degree of ornamentation, important in the performance of raga-based music. The venu`s north Indian counterpart is called bansuri.

Shehnai
It is a double reeded wind instrument with a widening tube towards the lower end. There are eight or nine holes, the upper seven for playing and the lower ones for tuning. The Shehnai is considered auspicious and is played on all festive occasions in India. The shehnai is an instrument which is thought to bring good luck, and as a result, is widely used in North India for marriages and processions.This tube-like instrument gradually widens towards the lower end. It usually has between six and nine holes. It employs two sets of double reeds, making it a quadruple reed woodwind. By controlling the breath, various tunes can be played on it. The shehnai was created by improving upon the pungi.

Kuzhal
The kuzhal is a traditional double reed wind instrument used in the South Indian state of Kerala. It is similar in construction to a nagaswaram or a large shehnai and has a very loud and penetrating tone. It is used primarily for outdoor festivals, in conjunction with drums and other percussion instruments. The instrument has a wooden body with a conical bore, at the end of which is affixed a brass bell. The player, which is almost always male, blows through a double reed and closes small holes with both hands. The kuzhal is generally used for classical performances of different musical instruments that are unique to Kerala.

Nadaswaram
This is one of the most popular classical wind instruments of south India and the world`s loudest non-brass acoustic instrument. It is similar to the North Indian shehnai but larger, with a hardwood body and a large flaring bell made of wood or metal. As it is considered as a very auspicious one, it is the key instrument which is played in almost all Hindu marriages and temples in South India. The instrument is usually played in pairs, and accompanied by a pair of drums called thavil.

Traditionally the body of the nagaswaram is made out of a tree called aacha and it is an instrument with a conical bore that gradually enlarges toward the lower end. It is usually made of a type of ebony. The top portion has a metal staple (called "Mel Anaichu") into which is inserted a small metallic cylinder (called "Kendai") which carries the mouthpiece made of reed. Besides spare reeds, a small ivory or horn needle is attached to the Nagaswaram. This needle is used to clear the mouthpiece of saliva particles and allows the free passage of air. A metallic bell (called "Keezh anaichu") decorates the bottom. The Nagaswaram has seven finger-holes. There are five additional holes drilled at the bottom which are used as controllers. The Nagaswaram has a range of two and a half octaves like the flute. Due to its intense volume and strength it is basically an outdoor instrument and much more suited for open spaces than for closed indoor concert situations.