Sarangi (Nepali)
Sarangi is a 4-string bowed lute | |
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Sarangi |
| Classification | Chordophone |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321.321 (chordophone--necked bowl lute: the handle is attached to or carved from the resonator, like a neck) |
| Inventor(s) | Gandarbha people |
| Related instruments | |
| Sarangi | |
| Musicians | |
| Jhalak Man Gandarbha | |
| Sound sample | |
The Nepali Sarangi (Nepali: नेपाली सारङ्गी) is a Nepali folk instrument. It is a chordophone played by bowing. Traditionally in Nepal, the Sarangi was only played by people of Gandarbha or Gaine caste (both contested and interchangeable terms), who sing narrative tales and folk song, however, in present days, its popularity extends beyond the Gandharba community and is widely used and played by other caste members as well. It has also garnered much interest in other music genres, such as Nepali rock and film music. While the Sarangi has become the quintessential Gandharba instrument, its counterpart, the arbajo, which is a plucked lute, has fallen into obscurity.