The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.22

c11.22

Numbers of instruments still in use in India have not altered in the smallest particular their ancient forms. The vina, the tamburi or tamburu-vina, and the kinneri still remain just as they are described in the ancient books, even down to the very details of the carving with which they are adorned, so conservative are the people who use them of all connected with the art they hold to be so sacred. The peculiar shape of instruments of the viol and violin tribe appears to have a prototype among Indian instruments; and this can be seen in the rabôb, which is made with distinct upper, *lower, and middle bouts*, and in a less degree in the sârangi, sarôde, and chikâra.