Sitar
is a string instrument, belonging to the family of the long-necked
lutes and one of the instruments in traditional Indian music.
The body is made from a hollowed pumpkin and the neck is
made of tuna wood (Cedrela tuna or teak wood) called SAGU,
which grows in the Kashmir region. The smaller resonator
or echo box (kaddu/pumpkin), also made of pumpkin, is attached
to the upper end of the neck.
There are 7 main strings, which
are plucked; 5 for melodies and 2 for drone and rhythmic
effects. The sitar also has 11-13 sympathetic strings, which
lie under the frets almost parallel to the plucked strings
and vibrate giving the instrument its characteristic sound.
The strings are made of steel and bronze. The bridge, with
19-23 moveable metal frets was made with ivory, but now
deer or camel bone is used. The bridge is placed in the
middle of the body and is about 3 cm in width. The strings
are plucked by the right forefinger, which has an attached
plectrum or MIZRAB.
The very heart of Indian traditional music is the RAGA created
by a combination of melody and rhythm, called TALAS. A TALA
consists of a repeated cycle of beats, ranging from 3 to
over 100 beats in length. RAGA comes from the saying in
Sanskrit "Ranjayathi iti Ragah" which means, "that
which colours the mind is a raga". Through the beautiful,
rich melodies created by sitar every human emotion and every
subtle feeling in humankind and nature can be musically
expressed and experienced.
Sitar
performance should reflect the natural law or flow, for
this reason music can change every 3 hours according to
the day and night cycle. There are sunrise, morning and
evening ragas performed and influenced by the natural rhythm
in nature. Ragas are also associated with specific gods,
deities, seasons and festivals.
RAGAS are scientific, precise and subtle melodies with innumerable
fixed compositions, with the framework (basic rules and
techniques) established by tradition. Within the framework
of a raga the artist can create and improvise a limitless
variety of music. In performance, the artist considers not
only the time of day, but also the setting, his mood and
the feeling he discerns from the audience creating a resonance
between artist and audience.
Sitar is a popular instrument enjoyed all over the world.
Sensitive by nature, it is tuned during performance, so
the subtle, soft and smooth tones, like a human voice will
be heard in all its shades.
In concert, a tabla (Indian drums) and tanpura (4-6 string
instrument) accompany the sitar.
Sitar
is a string instrument, belonging to the family of the long-necked
lutes and one of the instruments in traditional Indian music.
The body is made from a hollowed pumpkin and the neck is
made of tuna wood (Cedrela tuna or teak wood) called SAGU,
which grows in the Kashmir region. The smaller resonator
or echo box (kaddu/pumpkin), also made of pumpkin, is attached
to the upper end of the neck. 
Sitar
performance should reflect the natural law or flow, for
this reason music can change every 3 hours according to
the day and night cycle. There are sunrise, morning and
evening ragas performed and influenced by the natural rhythm
in nature. Ragas are also associated with specific gods,
deities, seasons and festivals.
