What is a Surbahar?

A surbahar is a large plucked string instrument used in North Indian classical music. It is closely related to the sitar but is larger in size and designed to produce a deeper, lower-pitched sound. Because of its extended range and rich tone, the surbahar is sometimes called the “bass sitar.”

The instrument has a long neck with movable frets and a large resonating gourd that helps amplify its sound. It usually includes several melody strings, drone strings, and sympathetic strings that vibrate along with the played notes. Musicians pluck the strings using a metal plectrum worn on the finger while pressing the frets to produce the notes and expressive slides.

The surbahar is particularly well suited for performing the slow and meditative introductory section of a raga known as the alap. Its deep, resonant tone allows musicians to explore subtle melodic details and microtonal movements. Although it is less commonly played today than the sitar, the surbahar remains an important instrument in the tradition of Hindustani classical music.