String (bowed)
Saranda
ਸਰੰਦਾ
Refined by Guru Arjan Dev ji
History
The saranda is one of the oldest bowed instruments of Punjab. Guru Arjan Dev ji refined its form in the late 1500s as a dedicated kirtan instrument, and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji are both recorded as playing it. Its grave, vocal tone made it the favoured drone-and-melody companion for early Gurbani gayan before the harmonium arrived.
A large bowed string instrument carved from a single block of wood, with a deeply waisted body and goat-skin face. Its sound is grave and meditative — Guru Arjan Dev ji is said to have refined its form, and Guru Hargobind Sahib ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur ji are recorded as playing it.
Tuning & playing guide
Three main gut or steel playing strings tuned Sa – lower Pa – lower Sa, with up to fifteen sympathetic strings under them tuned to the swaras of the chosen raag. Tune the middle Sa to the singer's tonic, then set the other playing strings by ear to a clean fifth and octave. The bow is held underhand and drawn slowly across one string at a time.
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Because the body is carved from a single block, sudden temperature or humidity changes can crack it — never leave it in a car or near a window. Rosin the bow lightly before playing, and wipe rosin dust off the strings and skin with a dry cloth afterwards. Loosen the bow hair when not in use. Replace gut strings only one at a time so the bridge does not fall.