The esraj, also called esraaj, is a stringed musical instrument found in two forms across South Asia. It is a relatively new instrument, about 300 years old. It is used in Pakistan and northern India, especially in Punjab, where it plays a role in Sikh music. It is also used in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India, for Rabindra Sangeet and classical music. The esraj is a modern version of the dilruba, with a slightly different structure.

The dilruba and its version, the esraj, became less popular over many years. By the 1980s, the instrument was nearly forgotten. However, the growing influence of the "Gurmat Sangeet" movement, which aims to restore traditional Sikh music, helped bring the esraj back into use. In Bengal, the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore required students at the Sangeet Bhavan, a music school at Visva-Bharati University (also known as Shantiniketan), to learn the esraj. Because of this, the esraj is now considered the main instrument that accompanies traditional Rabindra Sangeet.

History

The esraj is a modern version of the dilruba. The dilruba was invented about 300 years ago by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru. He designed it based on the older and heavier instrument called the Taus. This change made it easier for the Khalsa, the Sikh army, to carry the instrument while riding horses.

According to stories, the esraj was later created by a musician named Ishwari Raj, who lived in Gayadam.

Construction styles

The dilruba and its variant, the esraj, have similar but different construction styles. Each instrument has a medium-sized neck shaped like a sitar, with 20 heavy metal frets. This neck holds a long wooden rack with 12–15 sympathetic strings, called taraf strings, and 2–3 jawari strings. The jawari strings help highlight the vadi, samvadi, and nayeshwar notes, though they are not always present. These strings create a sharper sound. The dilruba has more sympathetic strings and a differently shaped body than the esraj. The esraj has four main strings, while the dilruba has six. All strings are metal, and both instruments are played with a bow. The soundboard is made of stretched goatskin, like that on a sarangi. Sometimes, a gourd is attached to the top of the instrument for balance or to improve the sound.

In Shantiniketan, there are two types of esraj: the traditional version and a modern model created by Ranadhir Roy. The modern model is longer, has a wider fingerboard, and includes a small "jawari" bridge near the peghead for three drone strings. It also has a larger body with holes in the back and an open, removable "tumba" behind the peghead. An instrument maker from Kolkata named Dulal Patra helped develop this newer version of the esraj based on Roy's instructions.

Playing

The esraj can be placed between the knees when the player kneels, or more often placed on the knee of the player while sitting, or on the floor in front of the player with the neck resting on the left shoulder. Only the esraj players from Shantiniketan hold the esraj upright by placing it on their lap. The instrument is played using a bow called a "gaz," while the other hand moves along the strings over the frets. The player may slide the note up or down to create a smooth transition, known as "meend." The esraj can copy the "gamak" style of vocal music, and the middle finger can be used to make "krintan." Roy included sitarbaz, sarodbaz, and esrajbaz in his musical compositions.

Notable figures

• Asian Music Circle, which was used in George Harrison's song "Within You Without You"
• Pandit Shiv Dayal Batish
• S. N. Bose
• Ashesh Bandyopadhyay
• Ranadhir Roy