The Sarangi family of Punjab

Krishan Singh Ramgarhia of Punjab has earned a name as a maker of Sarangis, the traditional bowed string instrument used during Gurubani recitation and musical concerts.

Nawanshair (Punjab), Nov. 30 : Krishan Singh Ramgarhia of Punjab has earned a name as a maker of Sarangis, the traditional bowed string instrument used during Gurubani recitation and musical concerts.

Sixty three-year-old artist Krishan Singh Ramgarhia's claim to fame is supported by the fact that nearly all accomplished Sarangi players possess Sarangis made by him.

Belonging to Punjab's Nawanshahr, Krishan Singh says that Sarangis were in much demand during the days of his forefathers. He laments that the new generation is hardly enthusiastic or interested in learning to play the classical music instrument.

"This education should definitely be given to the children. The number of the makers of these instruments is coming down. There are very few people who make these instruments," said Krishan Singh Ramgarhia.

He blames it on the absence of enough good teachers who can impart proper training and motivate youngsters to practice the Sarangi. He says if learnt properly Sarangi could prove to be a one of the finest musical instruments one would cherish playing.

"The Ustaads (masters) should be there who can teach the art of playing these instruments to the young generation. The youths today will get benefit from it", said Krishna Singh.

Despite being popular for his mastery in Sarangi making, Krishna Singh has never craved for public attention. He believes in enjoying an ordinary lifestyle.

The Sarangis made by him resonate in the hands of renowned Ustaads and many other popular instrumentalists.

Krishna Singh learnt the art of making Sarangis following his both--paternal and maternal grandfathers. Even today, he still uses the same tools used by his forefathers.

"Today, Gurubani (religious hymn of the Sikhs) is rendered in English too. So when the English does Gurubani recitation followed by Kirtan, it looks really great," said Krishan Singh.

He is particular about the type of the wood used for making the Sarangis, as he maintains only Toon wood-based Sarangi resonate the perfect sound.

While learning Sarangi-making the aspirant should have a good sense of Sur (rhythm) and Taal (beat) of Sarangi-playing, says Krishan Singh.

Krishan Singh and his son today sell around 50 Sarangis a year. The cost of each Sarangi may be anywhere between rupees 6,000 to 20,000 depending upon the material and decoration of the instrument.

"When we hear that people are not coming forward to make all these instruments and other things like that, it hurts. We should know how to play and make the equipments that are being used in Guru Ghar (shrine)," said Rajinder Singh, son of Krishan Singh.

Krishan Singh is today preparing his grandchildren to carry forward the lineage by becoming quality Sarangi players as well as Sarangi makers.

"I want to become a Sarangi maker like my grandfather. I am learning this art from him," said Hardeep Singh Sian, grandson of Krishan Singh Ramgarhia.

Carved from a single block of wood, the Sarangi has a box-like shape, usually around two feet long and around half a foot wide. The lower resonance chamber is hollowed out and covered with parchment and a decorated strip of leather at the waist which supports the elephant-shaped bridge. The bridge in turn supports the huge pressure of approximately 40 strings.

Sarangi has traditionally been used primarily for accompanying singers (shadowing the vocalist's improvisations), at many places it has been become recognised as a solo instrument used for full raga development.

Some of the known Sarangi players in India include Ustad Sabri Khan, Pandit Ram Narayan, Ustad Sultan Khan and Abdul Latif Khan. By Paramjeet

ANI