Surbahar

The surbahar, also known as bass sitar, is a plucked string instrument that originated in India. It is a larger and lower-pitched version of the sitar and is primarily used in Hindustani classical music. The surbahar has a long, hollow wooden body with a large gourd. It has a wide neck and a large resonating chamber. The surbahar has 8 main strings & 12 sympathetic strings. The surbahar produces a rich, resonant sound with a deep and full-bodied timbre. Its tone is characterized by its lower register and melodious quality. Due to its lower pitch and larger size, the surbahar is capable of producing deeper and more sustained notes.The surbahar has a historical significance in Indian classical music and is considered an ancient instrument. It evolved from the Rudra veena, an even older instrument associated with dhrupad music.