Esraj
String instrument from the Indian subcontinent
title: "Esraj" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bowed-string-instruments", "drumhead-lutes", "indian-musical-instruments", "sikh-music", "necked-bowl-lutes", "string-instruments-with-sympathetic-strings", "folk-instruments-of-punjab", "hindustani-musical-instruments"] description: "String instrument from the Indian subcontinent" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esraj" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary String instrument from the Indian subcontinent ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox Instrument"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Esraj |
| names | Israj |
| image | Esraj musical instrument.jpg |
| image_capt | Esraj on display in the Iyal Isai Museum Exhibition in Government Museum, Chennai |
| background | string |
| classification | Bowed string instrument |
| range | 3-4 Octaves |
| developed | 17th century |
| :: |
|name=Esraj | names = Israj | image = Esraj musical instrument.jpg | image_capt = Esraj on display in the Iyal Isai Museum Exhibition in Government Museum, Chennai |background=string |classification= Bowed string instrument |range=3-4 Octaves |developed= 17th century |related=
- Sarinda
- Sarangi
- Taus
- Dilruba
- Tarshanai or Tar Shehnai The pa or esraaj (from the Shahmukhi: اسراج Bengali: এস্রাজ) is a stringed instrument found in two forms throughout South Asia. It is a relatively recent instrument, being only about 300 years old. It is found in Pakistan and North India, primarily Punjab, where it is used in Sikh music, Bangladesh and West Bengal, India where it is used in Rabindra Sangeet and Classical Music. The pa is a modern variant of the pa, differing slightly in structure.
The pa and its variant, the pa, 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 Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore made this instrument mandatory for all the students of the pa (Music Academy) in Visva-Bharati University (otherwise known as Shantiniketan). Because of this, pa is considered the main accompanying instrument for traditional pa.
History
pa is the modern variant of the pa. The pa was 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 the Khalsa, the Sikh army, to carry the instrument on horseback.
According to the folklore, the pa was created by Ishwari Raj, a musician who lived in Gayadam.
Construction styles
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Esraj_musical_instrument.jpg" caption="Esraj}}, 1950"] ::
The pa and its variant, the pa, have a similar yet distinct construction style, with each having a medium-sized sitar-like neck with 20 heavy metal frets. This neck carries a long wooden rack of 12–15 sympathetic 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. The pa has more sympathetic strings, and a differently shaped body than the pa. The pa has four main strings while the pa has 6 both which are bowed. All strings are metal. The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin similar to what is found on a sarangi. Occasionally, the instrument has a gourd affixed to the top for balance or for tone enhancement.
There are two variants of pa played in pa; 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 of pa as per Roy's instructions.
Playing
The pa can 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 the pa players of pa keep the pa erect 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 the portamento, or meend. The pa can 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 in George Harrison's "Within You Without You"
- Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
- S. N. Bose
- Ashesh Bandyopadhyay
- Ranadhir Roy
References
References
- (2018-03-29). "Rarely played Indian instruments".
- Dutta, Madhumita. (2008). "Let's Know Music and Musical Instruments of India". Star Publications.
- Dharam Singh. (2001). "Perspectives on Sikhism". Publication Bureau, Punjabi University.
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