The Sursringar
The sursringar is a rare string instrument that is used as a Hindustani solo instrument. It was used in Dhrupad music in the 19th century, and is regarded as a descendent of the Rabab.
The sursringar has a body made out of dried gourd with a wooden cover. It has a second resonator, a neck, and metal strings. It is plucked with a metal pick.
It was customary to learn the sursringar along with the sarod in the early twentieth century. This is because the sursringar is well suited for vilambit (slow) aalaap and techniques of both the veena and the rabab can be incorporated into it. The practice has diminished in recent years because of the modification of the sarod.
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From the North
Performer Information
Hear The Sursringar in concert
Did you know
It is said that the melodious effect of the sursringar became heightened during the rains, and because the instrument outshone the veena in slow aalaaps, it became a tradition in the Rababiya Gharana to play the sursringar in the monsoons.
