Sarinda

This article is about the Indian stringed instrument. For the genus of jumping spiders, see Sarinda (spider).

Sarinda

Classification	Bowed string instrument
Related instruments
Sarangi

A sarinda is a stringed Indian and Nepali folk musical instrument similar to lutes or fiddles. It is played with a bow and has between three and thirty strings depending on the region. The bottom part of the front of its hollow wooden soundbox is covered with animal skin. It is played while sitting on the ground in a vertical orientation.

The sarinda seems to have its origin in tribal fiddle instruments called "Dhodro Banam" found throughout in central, north-western and eastern India. It is an important instrument in the culture and religion of the tribal Santhals of West Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

Sarangi is an offshoot of Sarinda. The Sarinda was introduced to and popularized in Sikh devotional music by Sikh Guru Arjan Dev.

Several ethnic groups of India, e.g. Bauls of Bengal, the folk artists of Rajasthan, Assam and Tripura, use the sarinda in their traditional music and dance. It is the sole accompaniment for a soloist or group folk singer(s).

See also

• Sarangi a more common relative of the sarinda
• Sarangi (Nepali) a simpler version of the sarangi, played in Nepal and Sikkim

External links

• Afghan Sarinda Recordings
• Website of Delhi based Tripuris
• Article about dhodro banam a relative of the sarinda
• Sarinda entry in the instrument encyclopedia
• Brief description of the sarinda
• Article on Sikhnet