Santoor: Difference between revisions

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The Indian '''santoor''' instrument is a [[trapezoid]]-shaped [[hammered dulcimer]], and a variation of the [[Iran]]ian Santur.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Heydarian |first1=Peyman |last2=Reiss |first2=Joshua |title=Persian Music and the Santur Instrument |date=2005 |publisher=University of London |location=Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK |pages=524–527}}</ref> The instrument is generally made of walnut and has 25 bridges. Each bridge has 4 strings, making for a total of 100 strings. It is a traditional instrument in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], and dates back to ancient times. It was called ''Shatha Tantri Veena'' in ancient Sanskrit texts.

In ancient [[Sanskrit]] texts, it has been referred to as ''shatatantri vina'' (100-stringed vina).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/02/27/stories/2005022700570500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305094752/http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/02/27/stories/2005022700570500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-03-05 |title=Magazine / Culture : Santoor magic |date=2005-02-27 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> In Kashmir the santoor was used to accompany [[Music of Kashmir|folk music]]. It is played in a style of music known as the ''Sufiana Mausiqi''. Some researchers slot it as an improvised version of a primitive instrument played in the [[Mesopotamia|Mesopotamian]] times (1600–900 B.C.)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/how-all-did-the-soporis-improvise-upon-their-folk-instrument/304680 |title=How All did the Soporis improvise their Folk instrument|publisher=Outlook India |date=22 September 2017 |access-date=14 April 2018}}</ref> [[Sufi]] mystics used it as an accompaniment to their hymns.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} In Indian santoor playing, the specially-shaped mallets (''mezrab'') are lightweight and are held between the index and middle fingers. A typical santoor has two sets of bridges, providing a range of three [[octave]]s. The Indian santoor is more rectangular and can have more strings than its Persian counterpart, which generally has 72 strings. Musical instruments very similar to the santoor are traditionally used all over the world.

The santoor is played while sitting in an ''[[asana]]'' called ''ardha-padmasana'' position and placing it on top of the lap. While playing, the broad side is closer to the waist of the musician and the shorter side is away from the musician. It is played with a pair of light wooden mallets held with both hands. The santoor is a very delicate instrument and is very sensitive to light strokes and glides. The strokes are played always on the strings either closer to the bridges or a little away from bridges. Both styles result in different tones. Sometimes strokes by one hand can be muffled by the other hand by using the face of the palm just to create variety.

*[[Shivkumar Sharma]] (b. 1938)

*[[Bhajan Sopori]] (b. 1948)

*[[Varsha Agrawal]] (b. 1967)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://imcradiodotnet.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/our-wishes-to-indias-single-female-santoor-player-dr-varsha-agrawal-born-29-jan-1967/|title=Our wishes to India’s single female Santoor player Dr. Varsha Agrawal (born 29 Jan 1967)|date=January 28, 2013}}</ref>

{{Hindustani Classical Music page end}}{{India-music-stub}}{{Indian musical instruments}}