From Wood To Wonder: The Magical Journey Of Crafting A Sitar!
BY: PURNIMA MISHRA
The sitar is a traditional Indian string instrument, known for its deep, resonant sound. Crafting a sitar is an intricate process that requires skill, patience, and a deep understanding.
A Glimpse of Craftsmanship
The sitar begins with the selection of high-quality wood. Typically, the main body is crafted from a gourd and seasoned rosewood or teak for the neck.
Choosing The Wood
The artisan starts by hollowing out the gourd to create the resonating chamber. The neck is carved and shaped meticulously
Carving the Gourd & Neck
The sitar is fitted with movable metal frets that allow the player to change the pitch. A bridge is carefully placed to ensure the strings vibrate harmoniously.
Fitting the Bridge & Frets
The sitar has multiple strings: a combination of sympathetic strings and main playing strings. The strings are stretched over the neck, and each is tuned to create the iconic rich sound.
Stringing the Instrument
Once the sitar is strung, it’s tuned and tested for sound. The final steps involve decorating the instrument with intricate designs, often using mother-of-pearl inlays.