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			{{Short description\|Indian string instrument}}
	{{more citations needed\|date=July 2018}}		{{more citations needed\|date=July 2018}}
	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Esraj}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Esraj}}
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	\|name=Esraj		\|name=Esraj
	\| names = Israj		\| names = Israj
	\| image = ~~Dilruba boy~~.jpg		\| image = Esraj musical instrument.jpg
	\| image_capt = A [[~~Sikh~~]] ~~boy playing the Esraj~~		\| image_capt = Esraj on display in the Iyal Isai Museum Exhibition in [[Government Museum, Chennai]]
	\|background=string		\|background=string
	\|classification= [[Bowed string instrument]]		\|classification= [[Bowed string instrument]]
	\|range=3-4 Octaves		\|range=3-4 Octaves
	\|developed= 17th century		\|developed= 17th century
	~~\|place of origin= [[India]]~~
	\|related=		\|related=
	*[[Sarinda]]		*[[Sarinda]]
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	*[[Tarshanai or Tar Shehnai]]		*[[Tarshanai or Tar Shehnai]]
	}}		}}
	The '''''esraj''''' (from ~~[[Punjabi language~~\|~~Punjabi]]~~ [[wikt:ਇਸਰਾਜ\|ਇਸਰਾਜ]]) is an ~~[[India]]n~~ [[stringed instrument]] found in two forms throughout the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found in [[North India]], primarily [[Punjab, India\|Punjab]], where it is used in [[Sikh music]] and [[Hindustani classical]] compositions and in [[West Bengal]]. The esraj is a modern variant of the '''''dilruba''''', differing slightly in structure.		The '''{{transl\|pa\|esraj}}''' (from the {{lang-pa\|[[wikt:ਇਸਰਾਜ\|ਇਸਰਾਜ]]}}) is an Indian [[stringed instrument]] found in two forms throughout the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found in [[North India]], primarily [[Punjab, India\|Punjab]], where it is used in [[Sikh music]] and [[Hindustani classical]] compositions and in [[West Bengal]]. The {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} is a modern variant of the '''{{transl\|pa\|[[dilruba]]}}''', differing slightly in structure.

	~~Dilruba~~ and its variant, the ~~Esraj~~, had been declining in popularity for many decades. By the 1980s, the instrument was nearly extinct. However, with the rising influence of the "[[Gurmat Sangeet]]" movement, the instrument has been once again attracting attention as Rabindranath Tagore made this instrument mandatory for all the students of ~~sangeet bhavan of~~ Shantiniketan. Esraj is the main accompanying instrument for ~~rabindra sangeet in Shantiniketan~~.<ref name="radioandmusic">{{Cite web\|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/features/180329-rarely-played-indian-instruments\|title=Rarely played Indian instruments\|date=2018-03-29\|website=Radioandmusic.com\|language=en-US\|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref>		The {{transl\|pa\|dilruba}} and its variant, the {{transl\|pa\|esraj}}, had been declining in popularity for many decades. By the 1980s, the instrument was nearly extinct. However, with the rising influence of the "[[Gurmat Sangeet]]" movement in an effort to revive the traditional instrumentation of Sikh Kirtan, the instrument has been once again attracting attention. In West Bengal, [[Rabindranath Tagore]] made this instrument mandatory for all the students of the {{transl\|pa\|Sangeet Bhavan}} (Music Academy) in [[Visva-Bharati University]] (otherwise known as Shantiniketan). Because of this, {{transl\|pa\|Esraj}} is considered the main accompanying instrument for traditional {{transl\|pa\|Rabindra Sangeet}}.<ref name="radioandmusic">{{Cite web\|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/features/180329-rarely-played-indian-instruments\|title=Rarely played Indian instruments\|date=2018-03-29\|website=Radioandmusic.com\|language=en-US\|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref>

	==History==		==History==
	Esraj is the modern variant of [[~~Dilruba~~]]. ~~Dilruba~~ was created some 300 years ago by the 10th Sikh guru, [[Guru Gobind Singh]], who based it on the much older, and heavier, [[Taus (instrument)\|Taus]]<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qxsy28eStmAC&pg=PT23 \| title=Let's Know Music and Musical Instruments of India \| publisher=Star Publications \| last=Dutta \| first=Madhumita \| year=2008 \| pages=22–23 \| isbn=978-1-9058-6329-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|author=Dharam Singh\|title=Perspectives on Sikhism\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXzXAAAAMAAJ&pg=PT158\|year=2001\|publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University\|isbn=978-8-1738-0736-7\|pages=158}}</ref> This made it more convenient for the [[Khalsa]], the [[Sikh]] army, to carry the instrument on horseback.<ref name=radioandmusic/>		{{transl\|pa\|Esraj}} is the modern variant of the {{transl\|pa\|[[dilruba]]}}. The {{transl\|pa\|dilruba}} was created some 300 years ago by the 10th Sikh guru, [[Guru Gobind Singh]], who based it on the much older, and heavier, [[Taus (instrument)\|Taus]].<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qxsy28eStmAC&pg=PT23 \| title=Let's Know Music and Musical Instruments of India \| publisher=Star Publications \| last=Dutta \| first=Madhumita \| year=2008 \| pages=22–23 \| isbn=978-1-9058-6329-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|author=Dharam Singh\|title=Perspectives on Sikhism\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXzXAAAAMAAJ&pg=PT158\|year=2001\|publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University\|isbn=978-8-1738-0736-7\|pages=158}}</ref> This made it more convenient for the [[Khalsa]], the [[Sikh]] army, to carry the instrument on horseback.<ref name=radioandmusic/>

	According to the folklore, ~~Esraj~~ was created by Ishwari Raj, a musician who lived in Gayadam.		According to the folklore, the {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} was created by Ishwari Raj, a musician who lived in Gayadam.

	==Construction styles==		==Construction styles==
	[[File:Esraj musical instrument.jpg\|thumb\|Esraj, 1950]]		[[File:Esraj musical instrument.jpg\|thumb\|{{transl\|pa\|Esraj}}, 1950]]
	The dilruba and its variant, the esraj, have a similar yet distinct construction style, with each having a medium-sized [[sitar]]-like neck with 20 heavy metal [[fret]]s. This neck carries a long wooden rack of 12–15 [[sympathetic string]]s, known as the taraf strings, and 2-3 jawari strings. By the jawari strings, one can give emphasis on the vadi, samvadi, and nayeshwar notes, but jawari strings may not always be present. Jawari helps in producing a more piercing sound. The dilruba has more sympathetic strings, and a differently shaped body than the esraj. The esraj has four main strings while the dilruba has 6 both which are [[bow (music)\|bow]]ed. All strings are metal. The [[sound board (music)\|soundboard]] is a stretched piece of [[goatskin (material)\|goatskin]] similar to what is found on a [[sarangi]]. Occasionally, the instrument has a [[gourd]] affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement.		The {{transl\|pa\|dilruba}} and its variant, the {{transl\|pa\|esraj}}, have a similar yet distinct construction style, with each having a medium-sized [[sitar]]-like neck with 20 heavy metal [[fret]]s. This neck carries a long wooden rack of 12–15 [[sympathetic string]]s, known as the taraf strings, and 2-3 jawari strings. By the jawari strings, one can give emphasis on the vadi, samvadi, and nayeshwar notes, but jawari strings may not always be present. Jawari helps in producing a more piercing sound. The {{transl\|pa\|dilruba}} has more sympathetic strings, and a differently shaped body than the {{transl\|pa\|esraj}}. The {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} has four main strings while the {{transl\|pa\|dilruba}} has 6 both which are [[bow (music)\|bow]]ed. All strings are metal. The [[sound board (music)\|soundboard]] is a stretched piece of [[goatskin (material)\|goatskin]] similar to what is found on a [[sarangi]]. Occasionally, the instrument has a [[gourd]] affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement.

	There are two variants of ~~esrajs~~ played in ~~shantiniketan~~; the traditional on, and the modern model developed by ~~Pt.~~ Ranadhir Roy. This version is longer, with a wider fingerboard, and with an additional, diminutive "jawari" bridge near the peghead for the three drone strings.. The newer model has a larger body, which is perforated in back, plus it has an open-backed, removable "tumba" behind the peghead. An instrument maker of Kolkata, named Dulal Patra worked to develop the newer model of ~~Esraj~~ as per ~~Ranadhir~~ Roy's instructions.		There are two variants of {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} played in {{transl\|pa\|Shantiniketan}}; the traditional variety, and the modern model developed by Ranadhir Roy. This version is longer, with a wider fingerboard, and with an additional, diminutive "jawari" bridge near the peghead for the three drone strings. The newer model has a larger body, which is perforated in back, plus it has an open-backed, removable "tumba" behind the peghead. An instrument maker of Kolkata, named Dulal Patra worked to develop the newer model of {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} as per Roy's instructions.

	==Playing==		==Playing==
	The ~~instrument~~ can be rested between the knees while the player kneels, or more commonly rested on the knee of the player while sitting, or also on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck leaning on the left shoulder.Only the esraj players of Shantiniketan,keep the esraj erect by resting it on their lap.It is played with a bow (known as a "gaz"), with the other hand moving along the strings over the frets. The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the [[portamento]], or ''[[meend]]''.The ~~Esraj~~ can imitate the " gamak" of vocal music and by using the middle finger one can create "krintan". ~~Pt.Ranadhir~~ Roy used sitarbaz,sarodbaz and esrajbaz in his compositions.		The {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} can be rested between the knees while the player kneels, or more commonly rested on the knee of the player while sitting, or also on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck leaning on the left shoulder. Only the {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} players of {{transl\|pa\|Shantiniketan}} keep the {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} erect by resting it on their lap. It is played with a bow (known as a "gaz"), with the other hand moving along the strings over the frets. The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the [[portamento]], or ''[[meend]]''. The {{transl\|pa\|esraj}} can imitate the "gamak" of vocal music and by using the middle finger one can create "krintan". Roy used sitarbaz, sarodbaz and esrajbaz in his compositions.

	==Notable figures==		==Notable figures==
	*[[Asian Music Circle]], ''used in [[George Harrison]]'s "[[Within You Without You]]"''		*[[Asian Music Circle]], ''used in [[George Harrison]]'s "[[Within You Without You]]"''
			*[[Ranadhir Roy]]
			*[[Buddhadev Das]]
	*[[Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish]]		*[[Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish]]
	*[[Ravi Shankar]]
	*[[S. N. Bose]]		*[[S. N. Bose]]
	*[[~~Joel Goldsmith~~]]		*[[Kirpal Singh Panesar]]
	*[[~~Pandit Ranadhir Roy]]~~		*[[Arshad Khan (musician)\|Arshad Khan]]
	*[[Pandit Buddhadev Das]]
	*[[Pandit Ashesh Chandra Banerjee]]
	*[[Shubhayu Sen Majumdar]]

	== See also ==		== See also ==
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	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101204025327/http://visva-bharati.ac.in/GreatMasters/Contents/ashesh.htm Ashesh Banerjee - Visva Bharati]		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101204025327/http://visva-bharati.ac.in/GreatMasters/Contents/ashesh.htm Ashesh Banerjee - Visva Bharati]
	*[http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/an-instrument-of-change-2/ An instrument of change]		*[http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/an-instrument-of-change-2/ An instrument of change]
	* [http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/dilruba/dilruba_tuning_intro.html Stringing and Tuning the Dilruba and Esraj]

	{{Indian musical instruments}}		{{Indian musical instruments}}

>Tom.Reding: +{{Authority control}} (1 ID from Wikidata), WP:GenFixes on

2021-06-07T16:28:43Z

+{{Authority control}} (1 ID from Wikidata), WP:GenFixes on

New page

{{more citations needed|date=July 2018}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Esraj}}
{{Infobox Instrument
|name=Esraj
| names = Israj
| image = Dilruba boy.jpg
| image_capt = A [[Sikh]] boy playing the Esraj
|background=string
|classification= [[Bowed string instrument]]
|range=3-4 Octaves
|developed= 17th century
|place of origin= [[India]]
|related=
*[[Sarinda]]
*[[Sarangi]]
*[[Taus (instrument)|Taus]]
*[[Dilruba]]
*[[Tarshanai or Tar Shehnai]]
}}
The '''''esraj''''' (from [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] [[wikt:ਇਸਰਾਜ|ਇਸਰਾਜ]]) is an [[India]]n [[stringed instrument]] found in two forms throughout the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found in [[North India]], primarily [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], where it is used in [[Sikh music]] and [[Hindustani classical]] compositions and in [[West Bengal]]. The esraj is a modern variant of the '''''dilruba''''', differing slightly in structure.

Dilruba and its variant, the Esraj, had been declining in popularity for many decades. By the 1980s, the instrument was nearly extinct. However, with the rising influence of the "[[Gurmat Sangeet]]" movement, the instrument has been once again attracting attention as Rabindranath Tagore made this instrument mandatory for all the students of sangeet bhavan of Shantiniketan. Esraj is the main accompanying instrument for rabindra sangeet in Shantiniketan.<ref name="radioandmusic">{{Cite web|url=http://www.radioandmusic.com/entertainment/editorial/features/180329-rarely-played-indian-instruments|title=Rarely played Indian instruments|date=2018-03-29|website=Radioandmusic.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref>

==History==
Esraj is the modern variant of [[Dilruba]]. Dilruba was created some 300 years ago by the 10th Sikh guru, [[Guru Gobind Singh]], who based it on the much older, and heavier, [[Taus (instrument)|Taus]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qxsy28eStmAC&pg=PT23 | title=Let's Know Music and Musical Instruments of India | publisher=Star Publications | last=Dutta | first=Madhumita | year=2008 | pages=22–23 | isbn=978-1-9058-6329-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Dharam Singh|title=Perspectives on Sikhism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xXzXAAAAMAAJ&pg=PT158|year=2001|publisher=Publication Bureau, Punjabi University|isbn=978-8-1738-0736-7|pages=158}}</ref> This made it more convenient for the [[Khalsa]], the [[Sikh]] army, to carry the instrument on horseback.<ref name=radioandmusic/>

According to the folklore, Esraj was created by Ishwari Raj, a musician who lived in Gayadam.

==Construction styles==
[[File:Esraj musical instrument.jpg|thumb|Esraj, 1950]]
The dilruba and its variant, the esraj, have a similar yet distinct construction style, with each having a medium-sized [[sitar]]-like neck with 20 heavy metal [[fret]]s. This neck carries a long wooden rack of 12–15 [[sympathetic string]]s, known as the taraf strings, and 2-3 jawari strings. By the jawari strings, one can give emphasis on the vadi, samvadi, and nayeshwar notes, but jawari strings may not always be present. Jawari helps in producing a more piercing sound. The dilruba has more sympathetic strings, and a differently shaped body than the esraj. The esraj has four main strings while the dilruba has 6 both which are [[bow (music)|bow]]ed. All strings are metal. The [[sound board (music)|soundboard]] is a stretched piece of [[goatskin (material)|goatskin]] similar to what is found on a [[sarangi]]. Occasionally, the instrument has a [[gourd]] affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement.

There are two variants of esrajs played in shantiniketan; the traditional on, and the modern model developed by Pt. Ranadhir Roy. This version is longer, with a wider fingerboard, and with an additional, diminutive "jawari" bridge near the peghead for the three drone strings.. The newer model has a larger body, which is perforated in back, plus it has an open-backed, removable "tumba" behind the peghead. An instrument maker of Kolkata, named Dulal Patra worked to develop the newer model of Esraj as per Ranadhir Roy's instructions.

==Playing==
The instrument can be rested between the knees while the player kneels, or more commonly rested on the knee of the player while sitting, or also on the floor just in front of the player, with the neck leaning on the left shoulder.Only the esraj players of Shantiniketan,keep the esraj erect by resting it on their lap.It is played with a bow (known as a "gaz"), with the other hand moving along the strings over the frets. The player may slide the note up or down to achieve the [[portamento]], or ''[[meend]]''.The Esraj can imitate the " gamak" of vocal music and by using the middle finger one can create "krintan". Pt.Ranadhir Roy used sitarbaz,sarodbaz and esrajbaz in his compositions.

==Notable figures==
*[[Asian Music Circle]], ''used in [[George Harrison]]'s "[[Within You Without You]]"''
*[[Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish]]
*[[Ravi Shankar]]
*[[S. N. Bose]]
*[[Joel Goldsmith]]
*[[Pandit Ranadhir Roy]]
*[[Pandit Buddhadev Das]]
*[[Pandit Ashesh Chandra Banerjee]]
*[[Shubhayu Sen Majumdar]]

== See also ==
*[[Taus (instrument)]]
*[[Sarangi]]
*[[Sitar]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20101204025327/http://visva-bharati.ac.in/GreatMasters/Contents/ashesh.htm Ashesh Banerjee - Visva Bharati]
*[http://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/an-instrument-of-change-2/ An instrument of change]
* [http://chandrakantha.com/articles/indian_music/dilruba/dilruba_tuning_intro.html Stringing and Tuning the Dilruba and Esraj]

{{Indian musical instruments}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bowed string instruments]]
[[Category:Drumhead lutes]]
[[Category:Indian musical instruments]]
[[Category:Sikh music]]
[[Category:Necked bowl lutes]]
[[Category:String instruments with sympathetic strings]]
[[Category:Folk instruments of Punjab]]
[[Category:Hindustani musical instruments]]