Sarangi

Maegen McDonald

What is a Sarangi?!

The Sārangī is a bowed, short-necked string instrument of the Indian subcontinent.

It plays an important role in India's Hindustani classical music tradition.

Of all Indian instruments, it is said to most resemble the sound of the human voice – able to imitate vocal ornaments such as shakes and sliding movements.

It is also said to be the hardest Indian instrument to master.

History!

The word sarangi is derived from two Hindi words: sau (meaning "hundred") and rang (meaning "color"). This is because the sound of the sarangi is said to be as expressive and evocative as a hundred colors.

Its origins are unknown, however most people believe that it became a mainstream instrument in the mid 18th Century.

Structure!

Carved from a single block of wood, the sarangi has a box-like shape, usually around two feet long and around half a foot wide.

The lower resonance chamber is made from a hollowed-out block of tun (red cedar) wood and covered with parchment and a decorated strip of leather at the waist which supports the elephant-shaped bridge.

The bridge in turn supports the huge pressure of approximately 40 strings.

Picture!

What does it sound like?!

A properly tuned sarangi will hum and buzz like a bee-hive, with tones played on any of the main strings eliciting echo-like resonances.

A few sarangis have strings made of Goat's intestine,these were used in olden days by rich musicians.

Sound Clip!

http://www.sarangisitar.com/muradali/about-sarangi.