The Sarangi is a true Nepalese musical instrument. The Sarangi is the most important bowed string instrument of Nepalese music tradition. Of all Nepalese musical instruments, it is said to get closest to the sound of the human voice. Carved from a single block of wood, the Sarangi has a box – like shape, usually round two feet long and around half a foot wide. It has no fingerboard and usually three or four gut strings, which are bowed with a horse – tail fiddle and “stopped” not with the finger – tips but with the nails. The name SARANGI is derived from the world "Sau Rangi", which means "Hundred Colored", describing its ability to convey a wide range of mood and emotion. Similar musical instrument can be found in other parts of the world. For example: the western violin. Sarinda, the Indian musical instrument probably is the closest in resemblance to the Sarangi. In Nepal Sarangi is mostly played by Gandharva a caste which earns their living by playing Sarangi Instrument. The Gandharvas learn to sing their unique songs and play the Sarangi in a traditional way – elders pass on their skills to younger generations. The Sarangi is most popular in Nepal and North India.

HOW IS SARANGI MADE?

The Sarangi, a one-piece instrument having a neck and hollowed out body, is carved out from a very light wood, locally known as Khiro. The wood is cut into a length of about a foot. The body is carved into a hollow frame with two openings. The lower opening is then covered up with dried sheep-skin. The original strings were made out of sheep intestine. The village people allotted intestines of sheep, sacrificed during major festivals like Dasain, to the Gandharvas. The Gandharvas left the intestine in a pot for some days. Once the meat was fully rotten, it was pulled out, leaving behind the fine nerves of the intestine which were then woven to get the strings, which produced fine quality sound. However these days, readily available nylon and steel strings are more popular with Sarangi players as they do not have the time to prepare the traditional variety of strings. Wedge like keys are hammered on to the neck of the Sarangi to serve as screws for tightening the strings. Horse tail hair was originally used for the bowstring of the Sarangi but these days nylon strings are preferred. As a result of the wide exposure of our Nepalese society to the outside world and vice versa, over the past few decades, we have lost a lot of our traditional culture. The Dominant western culture has slowly trickled into our society and hence everyday we seem to lose a little bit of our identity. For example: Harbaja, an instrument once popular among most of the odl Gandharvas is not played anymore. The elders among the new generation Gandharvas recall the time ‘when fairies danced to the tune of the songs and the Harbaja played by the Gandharvas'.

WHO PLAYS SARANGI?

Gandharvas, since the immemorial, have been recognized as the musician caste of Nepalese society. Long before television and radio came into existence, these people would travel around the villages playing music and spreading news, much in common to Europe's wandering minstrels. Intricately mingled with music, these Gandharvas would relate stories ranging from accounts of battles fought and these Gandharvas would relate stories ranging from accounts ob battles fought long ago to passing on of local gossip. In a land where education was the prerogative of the favoured few, the Gandharvas had played an immense role in the preservation and propagation of nepali folklore. Their counribution in matters of historical issues has also been significant. In India some of the great Pandits like Pandit Ramesh Misra, Abdul Karim Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Amir Khan are some of the popular Sarangi Players. Jhalak Man Gandharva is the legendary Sarangi Player in Nepal.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah, who unified the various scattered kingdoms to form the Kingdom of Nepal, employed Gandharvas to sing the glory of the Shah Dynasty. They were used as a means of propaganda during the unification period and were sent to villages to sing in favour of a unified Nepal.

Gandharvas learn to sing their unique songs and play the Sarangi in a traditional way. Elders passed on their skills to younger generations. Even today you can see Gandharvas busy playing on the streets of Thamel to attract tourists or the local crowd.

SARANGIS WE OFFER:

We offer varieties of Sarangis in different sizes and price range. Sarangis we offer are of great quality at reasonable price. This fascinating musical instrument "Sarangi" is found enjoyed mostly in Nepal and northern India. The Sarangis we offer are beautifully decorated with handcarvings. Though simple yet great Sarangis at reasonable price are available in our stock. The Sarangis are made from finest wood and hair of the horse tail or cotton or plastic strings. Sometimes other material such as bone, brass, silver, copper are also used to make it more beautiful. Our Sarangis have perfect sound which come in excellent quality. Since sound is the primary concern so to be a good Sarangi it has to produce perfect sound therefore our Sarangis are selected and tested for a perfect sound. All our Sarangis are tested, rechecked and selected for the quality and sound. Our Sarangis are shipped within 12 hours of order received through DHL and reached to the customer within 5 to 6 business days after it is shipped. We also have Sarangi Wholesale Offer. Please Contact Us for detail.