Chikara (instrument)

Chikara
Chikara (second from left in foreground, #220) in the Horniman museum, London, UK.
String instrument
Classification String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification
(Composite chordophone)
Related instruments
Chikari

The chikara is a bowed stringed musical instrument from India used to play Indian folk music. It is used by the tribal people of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Description

The chikara is a simple spike fiddle played, similarly to the sarangi or sarinda, by sliding fingernails on the strings rather than pressing them to touch the fingerboard.[1] It has 3 strings, two horse hair and one steel,[2] in 3 courses and is tuned C, F, G.

Ambiguity

The term "chikara" is often used ambiguously to describe a variety of unrelated folk fiddles of northern India.[3]

  • Chikari, smaller version of chikara.
  • Sarangi

References

  1. ^ "Indian Musical Instruments (Vaadya)". Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Indian Heritage - Music - String Instruments". Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Music of India". Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.


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