SITAR

Sitars are plucked stringed musical instruments, originating from the lute family. The sitar originated in the Middle East originally. In fact, the word “sitar” is Iranian in origin and means ‘three strings’ (seh means ‘three’ and tar means ‘string’) although it is a multi stringed instrument.

The History of the Sitar traces its origins to an instrument first built under Medieval Muslim influence from the tanbur, a Middle Eastern lute with a distinctive long neck as well as from the vina, a narrow, intricately crafted Indian Zither. Although images similar to the sitar date back to 1800. Delhi, the more well-known form of the sitar had become prominent by the mid nineteenth century. The long hollow neck and gourd body produce a rich resonance and harmony, and is the dominant instrument used in Hindustani classical music and is played as an accompaniment to dance throughout India and Pakistan. Sitar Music is ubiquitous in these and other Middle Eastern countries.