What is the Sursringar?
The sursringar is a rare string instrument that is used as a Hindustani solo instrument. It was used in Dhrupad music in the 19th century, and is regarded as a descendent of the Rabab.
The sursringar has a body made out of dried gourd with a wooden cover. It has a second resonator, a neck, and metal strings. It is plucked with a metal pick.
It was customary to learn the sursringar along with the sarod in the early twentieth century. This is because the sursringar is well suited for vilambit (slow) aalaap and techniques of both the veena and the rabab can be incorporated into it. The practice has diminished in recent years because of the modification of the sarod.
