The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.194

c11.194

The three-stringed instrument to the right of the plate is the Persian Sitâra. Its use in India is very uncommon, but it is sometimes met with in large native cities, such as Hyderabad or Jeypur, where it is admired chiefly as a variety. The body of the specimen drawn is of wood, ornamented with ivory, the back of the instrument being left open. As can be seen, the belly is of parchment, and the tailpin, which serves as a foot for the instrument, is of brass, rather curiously worked. There are usually three gut strings, tuned like those of the sârangi, and played by means of a bow.