The Music of the Sitar
For avid listeners of Sitar Music the sonorous and melodic sounds of the sitar produces a relaxing music from which to get rid of the stresses of the day. The tones and timbres of the instrument innately produce a state of calmness , calmness and relaxation that is unrivaled by most instruments on Earth . It is a popular and unique style of Indian Classical Music, with specialties and characteristics which are not the same as any other instrument in this class.
The Sitar can be appreciated by all who hear its sound , but when you realize some things about the Sitar at that point you can appreciate the music on a whole new level . When you understand the amount of training the sitarist must undertake, and the deftness of hand that it requires, and understanding of the theories about the ragas, then the music becomes a glorious realization of blissfulness in such a way that uplifts the listener into a blissful trance.
With over 16 strings, 7 of which are above the frets and 13 of which run underneath the frets and many of them being varying lengths creates a dizzying amount of choices in the sitarists repetoire , even tuning the instrument takes a considerable amount of energy. It is not unusual to snap a string while tuning and then restringing comes into consideration. After that the player must tune the sitar to the notes of the Raga to be played so he or she can tune the strings to the notes of that particular raga. When all this is done, he must then be able to communicate with his tabla player, his tanpura player, and any other musicians that are on stage with him at the time. It appears almost as telepathy between the players, and it dazzles and awes the audience. This glorious variety of music is listened to by all , appreciated by more, and hardly ever fully comprehended.
