A sarinda or saranda is a stringed folk musical instrument from North and Eastern India and Pakistan, similar to the sarangi, lute, and the fiddle. The sarinda is played with a bow and is crafted from a single wooden block, and features three playable strings, consisting of two steel strings and one made from gut, along with a total of thirty-six sympathetic strings. These strings cascade down a slender waist and traverse an oval-shaped resonating chamber, which is partially adorned with animal skin. It is played while sitting on the ground in a vertical orientation.

History

The sarinda was first introduced to the Sikhs by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan, who used to play it while performing kirtan.

Regional variations

The sarangi and Nepali sarangi are similar to the sarinda. The Boro people call the sarinda "serja" or "serenja". In 2022, the sarinda was awarded a Geographical indication (GI) certificate.

Usage

Several ethnic groups of India, such as the Bauls of Bengal, Punjabi people, the folk artists of Rajasthan, the Boro of Assam, and the related Twiprasa of Tripura, use the sarinda in their traditional music and dance. It is the sole accompaniment for a soloist or group folk singera.