the nepali sarangi:

the wooden bird that can fly

Hidden in the Himalayas for centuries, and largely unknown to the outside world, exists an instrument that has amazing similarities to the modern violin: The Nepali Sarangi.

The soaring mountains of the Himalayas are covered in trees that seem to touch the clouds, and mountain goats are abundantly peppered throughout the terrain. Nepal is famous for its high quality, beautiful woodworking crafts, and the folk instruments native to Nepal are no exception.

The Nepali Sarangi is made entirely of wood, goatskin and glue. The instrument is carved out of a single log of wood, hollowed out inside, and the peg box is often carved into a beautiful bird, to represent the free spirit of the birds which fly from tree to tree throughout the mountains.

The bottom of the sarangi is covered in goatskin, creating resonance and amplification, while the top is left open to release the sound.

Three strings out of four are played using the fingernails touching the side of the string, and one string remains untouched as a drone string. Stopping the string with the fingernails allows the fingers to be free from rigid pressure or force, allowing the wide vocabulary of ornamentation, slides, and glissandos to occur easily and freely. Much of this ornamentation will not sound completely foreign to fiddle players from other genres…in fact, there is something in Nepali sarangi playing that almost any fiddler from any genre will recognize. The instrument is held on the knee, keeping the throat free for singing.

The shape of the top sound hole represents the shape of the decoration of the Kumare’s third eye, and the pointed bottom resembles the beak of a bird. The Nepali Sarangi is considered to be a feminine instrument, and the mythology speaks of how the heavenly Apsaras (female spirits) inspire The Gandharvas on earth. The shape of the top sound hole represents the shape of the decoration of the Kumare’s third eye, and the pointed bottom resembles the beak of a bird.

The player gives the bird its wings. As the instrument is played each player’s unique spirit, soul, and song is set free, just like the birds flying from tree to tree high in the Himalayas.

All bowed string players are aware of the capability of their instruments to express any sort of emotion that can be known, and those that are even unknown, through the movement and energy of their bow strokes. The sarangi is no exception, and those new to the instrument are invited to listen to its range, capability, and versatility.

The Sarangi plays an important role in Nepali history, mythology, and society, and is emerging out of the clouds of the Himalayas into the global, interconnected world