AUTHENTIC CLASSICAL MUSIC OF INDIA THE INSTRUMENTS - SITAR and TABLA

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THE SITAR The Sitar is thought to have originated from a combination of the Persian Shetar and the Indian Veena during the 13th Century. It is a long necked lute with nineteen to twenty three moveable frets and twenty wire strings. It is made from either cedar or teak wood with a gourd resonator. The bridges are made from deer horn and bone. The overall sound of the Sitar is one of shimmering fluidity. THE TABLA The Tabla originated around the same time as the Sitar from the double ended Pakawaj. They are a pair of treble and bass drums tuned to the tonic note of the performer they are accompanying. In the hands of a skilled artiste they produce a wide variety of tones and rhythmical patterns that are extremely pleasing to listen to. The Tabla are played in time cycles or taal which intertwine with the melodies of the Sitar to create enchanting music.

Two of North India's most popular instruments, the Sitar and Tabla       'The overall sound of the Sitar is one of shimmering fluidity'