Sursingar

The sursingar is a plucked string instrument from India. It is a modified and enlarged version of the sarod, designed to produce a deeper, more resonant tone. Primarily used in Hindustani classical music, the sursingar is particularly well-suited for playing the dhrupad style of music, known for its slow, meditative, and rhythmically complex improvisations.

The instrument typically has a wooden body, a skin-covered resonator, and a fretless fingerboard. Unlike the sarod, the sursingar often has metal frets embedded in the fingerboard, although they are often very thin and do not prevent the player from sliding between notes (glissando). It is played with a plectrum, usually made of coconut shell or bone. The sursingar has melody strings, drone strings, and sympathetic strings, which vibrate in response to the notes played on the melody strings, adding to its rich and complex sound. Its size and heavier construction generally result in a lower pitch and a more sustained sound compared to the sarod.

The sursingar was developed in the 19th century, often attributed to Ustad Sahebdad Khan, with the aim of replicating the sound of the rudra veena, a large and less portable instrument. While not as widely used as the sarod, the sursingar holds an important place in Hindustani classical music, particularly for its ability to evoke a sense of gravitas and depth. Notable sursingar players include Annapurna Devi and Zarin Daruwala Sharma.