Esraj

Esraj

Esraj on display in the Iyal Isai Museum Exhibition inGovernment Museum, Chennai
String instrument
Other names	Israj
Classification	Bowed string instrument
Developed	17th century
Playing range
3-4 Octaves
Related instruments
Sarinda Sarangi Taus Dilruba Tarshanai orTar Shehnai

Theesrajoresraaj(from thePunjabi:ਇਸਰਾਜShahmukhi:اسراج) is an Indianstringed instrumentfound in two forms throughout theIndian subcontinent.It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found inPakistanandNorth India,primarilyPunjab,where it is used inSikh music,andWest Bengalwhere it is used inRabindra SangeetandHindustani Classical Music.Theesrajis a modern variant of thedilruba,differing slightly in structure.

Thedilrubaand its variant, theesraj,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 Tagoremade this instrument mandatory for all the students of theSangeet Bhavan(Music Academy) inVisva-Bharati University(otherwise known as Shantiniketan). Because of this,Esrajis considered the main accompanying instrument for traditionalRabindra Sangeet.

History

Esrajis the modern variant of thedilruba.Thedilrubawas created some 300 years ago by the 10th Sikh guru,Guru Gobind Singh,who based it on the much older, and heavier,Taus.This made it more convenient for theKhalsa,theSikharmy, to carry the instrument on horseback.

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

Construction styles

Esraj,1950

Thedilrubaand its variant, theesraj,have a similar yet distinct construction style, with each having a medium-sizedsitar-like neck with 20 heavy metalfrets.This neck carries a long wooden rack of 12–15sympathetic strings,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. Thedilrubahas more sympathetic strings, and a differently shaped body than theesraj.Theesrajhas four main strings while thedilrubahas 6 both which arebowed.All strings are metal. Thesoundboardis a stretched piece ofgoatskinsimilar to what is found on asarangi.Occasionally, the instrument has agourdaffixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement.

There are two variants ofesrajplayed inShantiniketan;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 ofesrajas per Roy's instructions.

Playing

Theesrajcan 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 theesrajplayers ofShantiniketankeep theesrajerect 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 theportamento,ormeend.Theesrajcan 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

• Asian Music Circle,used inGeorge Harrison's "Within You Without You"
• Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
• S. N. Bose

See also

• Taus (instrument)
• Sarangi
• Sitar

External links

• Ashesh Banerjee - Visva Bharati
• An instrument of change