Sarangi
previous
next
The Sarangi is a short-necked fiddle and is the most important bowed instrument in north Indian classical music. The sarangi is held upright in the player's lap, with the top half held against the left shoulder. The large indentations on each side of the body accommodate the movements of the bow from string to string. The sarangi produces a rich sound which is used in both folk and classical Indian music.
| Family |
| Strings |
| Pitch range |
| Up to two octaves. |
| Material |
| Wooden body, with gut strings. |
| Size |
| Up to 27 in (69 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| This short-necked fiddle developed and is widely played in north India, Pakistan, and Nepal. |
| Classification |
| Chordophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of strings. |
| And also... |
| There are many different forms of this instrument. The sarangi from Delhi in north India is reputed to be so difficult to play that only the family of its inventor have mastered it. The Nepalese sarangi is played exclusively by men of the "game" caste. |
