Dilruba: Difference between revisions
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==Construction== |
==Construction== |
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The structure of the dilruba has a medium-sized [[sitar]]-like neck with about 20 metal frets, which are meant to guide the hand placement of the player. This neck holds on to a long wooden rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings. The dilruba has four main strings, all of which are made of metal. Only the leftmost string is bowed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Krishnaswami |first1=S. |title=Musical instruments of India |journal=Asian Music |date=1971 |volume=2 |pages=31-42 |doi= |
The structure of the dilruba has a medium-sized [[sitar]]-like neck with about 20 metal frets, which are meant to guide the hand placement of the player. This neck holds on to a long wooden rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings. The dilruba has four main strings, all of which are made of metal. Only the leftmost string is bowed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Krishnaswami |first1=S. |title=Musical instruments of India |journal=Asian Music |date=1971 |volume=2 |pages=31-42 |doi=10.2307/834150 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/834150 |access-date=13 April 2022}}</ref> The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin similar to what is found on a [[sarangi]]. Sometimes, the instrument has a gourd affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement. The instrument can be rested between or on the knees while the player kneels, or on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck of the instrument leaning on the left shoulder of the player. It is played using a bow in the right hand, with the other hand moving along the strings above the frets longitudinally.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Krishnaswami |first1=S. |title=Musical instruments of India |journal=Asian Music |date=1971 |volume=2 |pages=31-42 |doi=10.2307/834150 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/834150 |access-date=13 April 2022}}</ref> The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the portamento, or meend, as is characteristic of [[Indian music]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.discoversikhism.com/sikh_saaj/dilruba.html|title= Dilruba|date=2020-03-08|website=Discover Sikhism|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-08}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 21:13, 13 April 2022
 A Sikh boy playing the Dilruba | |
| String instrument | |
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| Other names | Dilrupa |
| Classification | Bowed string instrument |
| Part of a series on |
| Sikhism |
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The dilruba (also spelt dilrupa)[1] is a bowed musical instrument originating in India. It is slightly larger than an esraj and has a larger, square resonance box. The dilruba holds particular importance in Sikh history.
It attained more global prominence in the 1960s through its appearance in songs by Western artists, such as the Beatles during their psychedelic phase (most notably in the song "Within You Without You").
Etymology
The name of the instrument derives from the Persianized Hindustani word دلربا/दिलरुबा (dilrubā), literally meaning "that which ravishes or steals the heart."[2]
History
The dilruba was invented around 300 years ago by the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, who based it off of the much older and much heavier taus.[1][3] His innovations made it more convenient for the Sikh army (the khalsa) to carry the instrument on horseback.[4] Examining the sources in the prior sentences, an attempt has been made, but they have not provided any valid historical connection of the dilruba to the court of Guru Gobind Singh. Rather, the dilruba was widely known to have been created to accompany the Khayal format of singing many decades later, and therefore would not have found itself in Gurbani Sangeet within any of the Sikh Gurus' courts. In fact, traditional kirtan bearers, such as Bhai Avtar Singh Raagi have clarified the history of the dilruba's creation being tied to the patronage of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh and created by Mahant Gajja Singh.[5]
Construction
The structure of the dilruba has a medium-sized sitar-like neck with about 20 metal frets, which are meant to guide the hand placement of the player. This neck holds on to a long wooden rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings. The dilruba has four main strings, all of which are made of metal. Only the leftmost string is bowed.[6] The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin similar to what is found on a sarangi. Sometimes, the instrument has a gourd affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement. The instrument can be rested between or on the knees while the player kneels, or on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck of the instrument leaning on the left shoulder of the player. It is played using a bow in the right hand, with the other hand moving along the strings above the frets longitudinally.[7] The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the portamento, or meend, as is characteristic of Indian music.[8]
References
- ^ a b Dutta, Madhumita (2008). Let's Know Music and Musical Instruments of India. Star Publications. pp. 22–23. ISBN 978-1-905863-29-7.
- ^ Khalsa, Sukhmandir (4 June 2017). "Dilruba: Ravisher of the Heart". Learning Religions. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ Dharam Singh (2001). Perspectives on Sikhism. Publication Bureau, Punjabi University. p. 158. ISBN 978-8-1738-0736-7.
- ^ "Rarely played Indian instruments". Radioandmusic.com. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
- ^ "Clearing misconceptions on the history of the Dilruba - Bhai Avtar Singh Ji Ragi". Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
- ^ Krishnaswami, S. (1971). "Musical instruments of India". Asian Music. 2: 31–42. doi:10.2307/834150. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Krishnaswami, S. (1971). "Musical instruments of India". Asian Music. 2: 31–42. doi:10.2307/834150. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "Dilruba". Discover Sikhism. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
