SARANGI

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Sarangi

Sound Sample

One of the most impressive timbres of Indian instruments is produced by the Sarangi. With its unique keen, slightly nasal, melancholic sound it has been a less important melody instrument for a long time which was used mainly for singing and dancing performances. Only in the previous century has the Sarangi also gained recognition as a solo instrument in the field of classical music. Sadly, inspite of this, the Sarangi is one the instruments that are threatened with extinction. The popular harmonium has almost completely replaced the Sarangi as accompanying instrument because the harmonium is much easier to play. Unfortunately, however, the harmonium is not capable of expressing the wonderful variety of sounds that are produced by the sliding note movements on the Sarangi. Nowadays, families who have dedicated themselves to Sarangi playing for generations have become very rare.

Similar to the Esraj and the Dilrupa, the Sarangi has a continuous wooden body which is covered by goat leather as a resonance cover. Above a horn fret which is fixed onto the leather cover, there are three thick gut strings. The instrument does neither have a fingerboard nor frets. The strings are pressed down with the sides of the beds of the nails of index, middle and ring finger of the left hand. A relatively short bow sets the gut strings swinging. The resounding 35 steel resonance strings produce an echo effect that is typical for this instrument.

The art of building Sarangis nowadays produces hardly any oustanding instruments. For this reason Tarang offers mainly standard Sarangis from Lucknow whose quality differs positively from the rest. A further Sarangi on offer is an antique instrument from the first half of the 20th century. It is, not least because of the elaborate Mogul painting, a very special rarity, but it is in need of restoration.

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TARANG offers on principle only high-qualtiy musical instruments. This is made possible by close personal contact to the suppliers and a strict selection of the instruments that are included in our range of goods. We do not offer any instruments which reach the west from unknown sources via importers and which are often resold by middlemen without any quality check and setting of the instrument. The demand from the west is relatively high in India. The purchase prices are negotiated to the lowest limit by the western countries, especially for high ordered quantities. This has effects on the required care and circumspection in craftsmanship, on the experience and mentality of the commissioned manufacturer and the use of parts of the instruments that are often of a poor qualtity. Irrespective of the qualification of the skill in craftsmanship, this leads, in some cases, to results that do not deserve the name instrument. Thus it is easily comprehensible that it is essential, when bying an Indian instrument, to know the sources. TARANG only supplies instruments from indisputable sources. All instruments are delivered adjusted and ready to be played.

Of course, we understand that somebody who purchases an instrument is also dependent on accessories and spare parts. Also in this respect we can satisfy the needs of our customers. Should an instrument be defective at any time, we can arrange for appropriate restoration. As a rule we can deliver any instrument offered on our website within 1 - 2 weeks. Our international lists of teachers enable everybody to find information about a teacher in their proximity. You can expect from us: reasonable prices, prompt service and straightforward processing of purchase and delivery.

The financial aspect also has to be mentioned. Despite the high quality we offer, we also do our best to offer you these instruments at very competitive and reasonable prices.