Our Instruments

The sarangi belongs to the Gandharva caste and was traditionally used as a storytelling instrument. It is a four-string instrument that usually produces C, C and G, G notes and is played with a bow. The structure of a Sarangi is very interesting; it has got no fret boards or fingering frets- notes are changed by putting fingers in-between the strings and shortening the length of vibrations. It has no joints and traditionally the body is carved out of a single block of Khhira wood, but is often replaced these days by Saaj wood. A wooden key is used to tune the strings and a small piece of wooden block is used as a bridge on top of the skin piece. The traditional horsetail bow is often replaced by a nylon bow now.

It is believed that the instrument Arbajo was handed down by Saint Bhrama Bharat to human beings in the Satya Yug. Back then the instrument was used to deliver messages from one place to another. The Arbajo is similar to a Guitar but slightly smaller in size. It is regarded as tshe male partner of the Sarangi and is played in consortium to produce balanced harmony. It consists of four strings that are used to produce rhythmic sounds.

The Madal is the most commonly used percussion instrument in Nepal. It is a barrel-shaped drum used throughout Nepal and is considered the national drum of Nepal. It produces two different tones from two sides — one provides bass notes and the other treble notes.

The Bansuri is a side-blown flute made of bamboo. It is one of the most ancient musical instruments of Nepal and India. It is associated with Lord Krishna and is prominently used in folk music across the Himalayan region.