Esraj
Template:Short description Template:More citations needed
Template:Infobox Instrument The Template:Transliteration or esraaj (from the Template:Langx Shahmukhi: اسراج) is a stringed instrument found in two forms throughout South Asia. It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found in Pakistan and North India, primarily Punjab, where it is used in Sikh music, and West Bengal where it is used in Rabindra Sangeet and Classical Music. The Template:Transliteration is a modern variant of the Template:Transliteration, differing slightly in structure.
The Template:Transliteration and its variant, the Template:Transliteration, had been declining in popularity for many decades. By the 1980s, the instrument was nearly extinct. However, with the rising influence of the "Gurmat Sangeet" movement in an effort to revive the traditional instrumentation of Sikh Kirtan, the instrument has been once again attracting attention. In West Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore made this instrument mandatory for all the students of the Template:Transliteration (Music Academy) in Visva-Bharati University (otherwise known as Shantiniketan). Because of this, Template:Transliteration is considered the main accompanying instrument for traditional Template:Transliteration.[1]
History
Template:Transliteration is the modern variant of the Template:Transliteration. The Template:Transliteration was created some 300 years ago by the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who based it on the much older, and heavier, Taus.[2][3] This made it more convenient for the Khalsa, the Sikh army, to carry the instrument on horseback.[1]
According to the folklore, the Template:Transliteration was created by Ishwari Raj, a musician who lived in Gayadam.
Construction styles
The Template:Transliteration and its variant, the Template:Transliteration, have a similar yet distinct construction style, with each having a medium-sized sitar-like neck with 20 heavy metal frets. This neck carries a long wooden rack of 12–15 sympathetic strings, known as the taraf strings, and 2-3 jawari strings. By the jawari strings, one can give emphasis on the vadi, samvadi, and nayeshwar notes, but jawari strings may not always be present. Jawari helps in producing a more piercing sound. The Template:Transliteration has more sympathetic strings, and a differently shaped body than the Template:Transliteration. The Template:Transliteration has four main strings while the Template:Transliteration has 6 both which are bowed. All strings are metal. The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin similar to what is found on a sarangi. Occasionally, the instrument has a gourd affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement.
There are two variants of Template:Transliteration played in Template:Transliteration; the traditional variety, and the modern model developed by Ranadhir Roy. This version is longer, with a wider fingerboard, and with an additional, diminutive "jawari" bridge near the peghead for the three drone strings. The newer model has a larger body, which is perforated in back, plus it has an open-backed, removable "tumba" behind the peghead. An instrument maker of Kolkata, named Dulal Patra worked to develop the newer model of Template:Transliteration as per Roy's instructions.
Playing
The Template:Transliteration can be rested between the knees while the player kneels, or more commonly rested on the knee of the player while sitting, or also on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck leaning on the left shoulder. Only the Template:Transliteration players of Template:Transliteration keep the Template:Transliteration erect by resting it on their lap. It is played with a bow (known as a "gaz"), with the other hand moving along the strings over the frets. The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the portamento, or meend. The Template:Transliteration can imitate the "gamak" of vocal music and by using the middle finger one can create "krintan". Roy used sitarbaz, sarodbaz and esrajbaz in his compositions.
Notable figures
- Asian Music Circle, used in George Harrison's "Within You Without You"
- Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
- S. N. Bose
See also
References
External links
Template:Indian musical instruments Template:Authority control