"Sarangi (box fiddle)"

Sarangi (box fiddle) | Unknown maker | Probably 20th century

This instrument has an impressive number of strings but the three thick gut strings are the only ones that are bowed. The 35 metal strings are never touched and they ring sympathetically giving the sarangi a distinctive sound. This type of instrument is the most important bowed string instrument in Hindustani classical music of north India and Pakistan.4 melodic, 35 sympathetic strings (metal). Side of neck originally pierced to hold possibly only 7 pegs for sympathetic strings. Lent by T.D. Colville, W.H.A. Colville and Mrs R.E. Colquhoun.

Sarangi

Asia

India

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Sarangi (box fiddle)

Alternative Title

SārangĪ.

Accession Number

0516

Collection

MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Probably 20th century

Period

19th century; 18th century

Gallery Information

No information recorded.

Maker Information

No information recorded.

Made In

Country

India

Description

Technical Description

Wooden body, U-shaped bottom and sides in one piece, separate ends, maximum width 255mm, maximum depth 170mm; parchment sound-table, reinforced with leather strip where bridge rests on sound-table; bridge with lightly curved top with 3 notches on top and 39 holes; top of neck contains box for strings; 4 melodic, 35 sympathetic strings (metal). Repair History: This sarangi was obviously reworked with an old version converted into a new one. The number of sympathetic strings had been increased with the side of the neck originally pierced to hold possibly only 7 pegs for sympathetic strings. Old peg holes had been plugged. The playing strings had been reduced from 4 to 3.

Provenance

on loan to the Collection.

Classification