Called ‘sarangi’ and originating from a basic form in India, these string instruments are played by musicians and folks singers throughout the South Asian region, from India, to Pakistan, to Afghanistan. The present ‘sarangi’ is a classic example of these musical instruments. Carved from hard wood, The hollow resonating chamber has leather stretched over it. The wide grip bar is cut and decorated with old ivory inlays. Arranged to the right, left and upper front are the through-pegs used for tightening the strings. The three big pegs for the three thick gut strings, and the smaller pegs for the many thinner metal strings. The touchdown bar underneath is carved from dark horn in the shape of an elephant. Also decorated with a think plate of ivory is the diagonal wooden bar for the fastening of the strings (at the very bottom). This ‘sarangi’ string instrument is unusually old and exhibits a very nice worn patina as a result of many years of usage. As does the accompanying covered bow, wrapped at the grip with fabric, as it is. With minor age-related damage and small, earlier, original repairs at the resonance chamber (some metal strings torn and missing, and the tears closed off with metal and black resin). Dimensions: 70 cm; W: 21 cm; 17 cm (depth of the resonance chamber). First third of the 20th century. (ME) ASA

Provenance: On the consignor’s account, this old musical instrument was acquired in the 1960s in Afghanistan. Since then: German Private Collection.

Lit.: 'Musikinstrumente der Völker' by A. Buchner, ill. 58, 59; 'Aditi. Festival of India', catalogue, Barbican Center, London, 1982; coloured ill. 33, ill. p. 229.

additional image:
A GROUP OF MUSICIANS in a temple in the Indian province of Rajasthan. The musician at the left plays a very similar “Sarangi” to our Cat. No. 163.
Photo from: “Aditi. Festival of India”, Catalogue, Barbican Centre, London. 1982