Gourt > Arts > Music > Instruments > Stringed > Sitar
The sitar is probably the best-known Indian instrument in the West. It is a Hindustani classical stringed instrument which utilizes sympathetic strings along with regular strings and a gourd resonating chamber to produce a very distinctive sound. The sitar has been ubiquitous in Hindustani classical music since the Middle Ages and became popular in the West when The Beatles used it in many songs, including "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and "Within You Without You". Beatles guitarist, George Harrison, was inspired by, and later taught by, world-famous sitar player Ravi Shankar.
Etymology and History
The name sitar comes from the Persian sehtar; seh meaning three and tar means string. A similar instrument is used to this day in Afghanistan, and the original Persian name is still used. Both instruments are most likely derived from the Kurdish tembûr, which is a long, lute-like instrument with no gourd resonating chamber. Both the tembûr and sehtar were used in pre-Islamic Persia and are used in Iran today. Alternatively, an older Indian instrument called the rudra veena resembles the sitar in some important respects, most notably in the use of gourd resonators. It is possible that the sitar is actually derived from this instrument, or that the modern sitar is an amalgamation of the two. Dr. Lalmani Misra in his book, Bharatiya Sangeet Vadya traced Sitar to ancient Tri-tantri Veena which came to be popularly known as Jantra during the medieval period.
More on [ Sitar ]
Indian :: Instruments
Hindustani :: Classical Indian
Hindustani :: Classical Music
@sitar Thanks. I will put you on the beta list, but you will have to wait until next year!
Basti (Bastian Lehmann) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:05:47 -0000
@sitar Thanks. I will put you on the beta list, but you will have to wait until next year!
is organising a concert in Bengali Tola, 7pm Mon 21st Dec, featuring Yasuhiro Minamizawa (sitar) and Shawn Mativets... http://bit.ly/8ZSKNN
shentabla (Shen Flindell) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:50:32 -0000
is organising a concert in Bengali Tola, 7pm Mon 21st Dec, featuring Yasuhiro Minamizawa (sitar) and Shawn Mativets... http://bit.ly/8ZSKNN
@missmarienjose I AM STILL LOL-ING AT SITAR HERO. AND THE MOVIEHOUSE SCENES. I BET THEY WERE HOLDING HANDS THE WHOLE TIME.
habagat (Gerry Avelino) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:35:13 -0000
@missmarienjose I AM STILL LOL-ING AT SITAR HERO. AND THE MOVIEHOUSE SCENES. I BET THEY WERE HOLDING HANDS THE WHOLE TIME.
@simonlittle Yes yes oh yay we most definitely shall. Your blog's hilarious by the way, had me in stitches! Happy sitar playing.
soranasantos (Sorana Santos) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:12:43 -0000
@simonlittle Yes yes oh yay we most definitely shall. Your blog's hilarious by the way, had me in stitches! Happy sitar playing.
#nowplaying My Sitar- dr bombay
Diy511 (Rifa Diyya) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:58:02 -0000
#nowplaying My Sitar- dr bombay
The strangest things can happen at Sitar Indooroopilly...
DrawnFromBees (Drawn from Bees) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:56:53 -0000
The strangest things can happen at Sitar Indooroopilly...
FAQ on Sitar and Other Indian Instruments - Includes information on how to repair, tune, and maintain sitars, and replace tarbs (strings).
Meta Description: [ Free sitar and other instruments FAQ. This is intended for people who like the idea of playing sitar and other Indian instruments, but who haven't had much experience with the them before ]
Free Sitar Lessons - Lessons, general information and sitar music files.
Patel, Hasu - Sitarist and teacher, living in Ohio. Biography, recordings, concerts, reviews, and photos.
Sitar - Includes links, artists, book recommendations, streaming audio, and a brief description about the Indian sitar.
Meta Description: [ links, history, parts, and information on the Indian sitar. ]
Sitar - Brief description and drawings of the sitar.
Sitar - Tutorial for beginners. General care, tuning, playing, maintenance, and reference list.
Meta Description: [ Free on line sitar tutorial intended for people who like the idea of playing Sitar, but who haven't had much experience with the instrument before ]
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