Sitar

The sitar is a traditional Indian stringed instrument with a distinctive, resonant sound. It has a long neck and a gourd-shaped body, and it typically features 18 to 21 strings, including both playing and sympathetic strings. The sitar is often used in Indian classical music, both in Hindustani (North Indian) and fusion contexts.

Class type - Offline only
Classes Conducted - Twice a week
Duration - One Hour
Course Duration - 7 Year
Practical sessions are conducted every month.

Origin: The sitar has its roots in ancient Indian music, with influences from Persian and Central Asian instruments. Its current form developed during the Mughal era in India.
Structure: The sitar has a fretted neck with movable metal frets, which allows for microtonal variations. The body, usually made from a hollowed gourd, acts as a resonator to amplify the sound.
Playing Technique: The sitar is played by plucking the strings with a metallic plectrum called a “mizrab.” The player uses their left hand to press down on the frets and create different pitches, while the right hand plucks the strings.
Sound: The sitar produces a rich, complex tone with a distinctive timbre, partly due to its sympathetic strings, which vibrate in response to the played notes and add harmonic richness.

Use in Music: The sitar is a staple in Indian classical music and has also been popularized in Western music by artists like Ravi Shankar and George Harrison of The Beatles.

Overall, the sitar is celebrated for its intricate sound and expressive capabilities, making it a key instrument in both traditional and contemporary music settings.