The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.143

c11.143

Some sitars are so constructed that the body is almost flat, instead of pear-shaped. This is accomplished by cutting the gourd body in a peculiar manner, so that the calix shall be at the back of the instrument. To such sitars the name Kachwar is given. Some people give the name Kachapi-vina to them. A rather uncommon instrument of this description is called the Surbehar, which is merely a large-sized sitar or kachapi-vina, played with a steel plectrum, and specially used for the performance of alâpas or râgas. The body is of wood, with a flat back, and there are usually sympathetic strings attached. The tone is rich and mellow like that of the vina, but the large size of the instrument renders its use fatiguing, while the cost is very high. It is tuned, of course, as the ordinary sitar.