India

Santoor




Santoor is a string instrument of Jammu and Kashmir. Formerly, it was played along with wasul, a Pakhawaj-like instrument. Santoor is a vital accompaniment for a type of classical music named Soofiana Kalam. It can also produce intricate musical forms such as gamaka and meend.

Santoor is a trapezium shaped box, which consists of 30 bridges arranged in 15 rows. Also included are four metal strings. The instrument is played with a pair of carved sticks, which are 6-7 inches. The long strings produce base sound and short strings control the high pitched sound.

Some of the leading exponents of Santoor are Shivkumar Sharma and Bhajan Sopori.



Updated on 7th June, 2005

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