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  • Sarangi – the Nepali Musical Instrument


    Posted on August 28th, 2009 xnepali No comments

    Sarangi Sarangi is a stringed instrument played by traditional ‘Gaine’ or ‘Gandarbha’ community of Nepal. The  Indo-Aryan ethnic group mainly from central hilly region of Nepal makes a living by singing a type of folk song and narrative tales commonly known as ‘Gaine Geet’ or ‘Gandarva Geet’.

    It is believed that Sarangi originated from Nepal. The simplistic design of the instrument made it easy to be manufactured and maintained locally. It is sad that search of sarangi in the internet lands us to Indian musical instrument which is quite different from the Nepali version. Encyclopedias and dictionaries like Britannica, Wikipedia (there is a page for Nepali sarangi however), Farlex, and Oxford Dictionary don’t mention Nepali Sarangi at all.

    Unlike Classical Indian Sarangi, it has four strings and all of them are played. The neck and body of the instrument are made from a single piece of light wood, locally known as Khirro. The body is carved into a hollow frame with two openings. The lower opening is then covered up with dried sheep-skin. Traditionally the fine nerves from sheep’s intestine were woven to get the strings. Horse-tail hair was originally used for the bow string of the Sarangi. These days nylon strings are preferred to the sheep nerves and horse-tail hair. The instrument is placed vertically on the left knee, suspended in front of the body by means of a cord around the left shoulder, and is played with a bow.

    The music produced by Sarangi, more than that of any other instrument, is believed to resemble the human voice.

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    In the recent Democracy movement in Nepal young Gandarva in Kathmandu, Rubin Gandharba, became a rallying cry for the Nepali Democracy Movement. npr.org even tagged Rubin a “Nepali Bob Dylan”.

    Following video is an example of wonderful tune Sarangi can produce. (By Bharat Nepali and Shyam S Nepali)

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EcVBmaIkic" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EcVBmaIkic</a>

    Jhalakman sang a very popular folk song using sarangi. (हे बरै – झलकमान गन्धर्ब)

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a15iKioNjg" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a15iKioNjg</a>

    The local road performance can't be compared to be studio performances but they have their own unique beauty. The performers are self taught, don't know the theory behind notes, and are singing for their living. Here are some such raw scenes from the street which I have collected from various members in YouTube.

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrr1zqh5nTk" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrr1zqh5nTk</a>

    A gaine singing Resham firiri near Annapurna Base Camp, Nepal

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXRVxcQQ6VY" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXRVxcQQ6VY</a>

    Small kid singing inside a micro-bus on the way from Pokhara to Kathmandu (Prithivi Rajamargh)

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cC__CcZ3SE" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cC__CcZ3SE</a>

    Gandarva dai of Pokhara
    Part 1

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JbGtHYfbGY" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JbGtHYfbGY</a>

    Part 2

    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQM9D515h8" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEQM9D515h8</a>


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