String (bowed)

Sarinda

ਸਰਿੰਦਾ

Folk and Dhadhi tradition

History

The sarinda is the folk cousin of the sarangi, played for centuries across rural Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Within the Sikh tradition it sits in the Dhadhi ensemble alongside the dhad, accompanying ballads of the Gurus and the Sahibzaadas in village gatherings and at gurdwara samelans.

A folk cousin of the sarangi, with a distinctive open-cut body shape and a leather-covered lower bowl. Used in Dhadhi ensembles alongside the dhad to accompany vaars and stories from Sikh history.

Tuning & playing guide

Three playing strings tuned to Sa, Pa and lower Sa around the singer's tonic, sometimes with a small set of sympathetic strings. The open, cut-out upper body and leather lower bowl give it a buzzier, more rustic sound than the sarangi.

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Care

Keep the leather-covered bowl clean and dry; condition the leather lightly once a year with a neutral leather balm. Avoid leaning the open upper body against hard surfaces — it splinters easily. Wipe the strings after use, loosen the bow hair, and store in a fabric-lined case.