Surbahar

Sound and Character

The sound of the surbahar is incredibly thick, guttural, voluminous, and enveloping. It has a long sustain and allows for deep, smooth string bends, creating a cosmic, sacred sound space.

Design and Features

The design is similar to the sitar, but the gourd resonator body is significantly larger, the neck is wider, and the strings are thicker. The instrument also features main playing strings, resonating (sympathetic) strings, and bass strings for a droning accompaniment.

Genres Used In

• Hindustani classical music (slow parts of ragas — alaps)
• Ethnic ambient and meditative music