From the first cascade of strings, the sound of the sitar is enthralling and magical. Elegant and elaborate, this plucked string instrument makes one of the most recognisable sounds of the Indian subcontinent. With a long history in Hindustani classical music, the sitar was introduced to Western music by Ravi Shankar and is now found in a myriad of musical styles in dialogue with instruments of diverse cultural backgrounds.
The sitar is a long-necked instrument made of teak or cedar wood with 20 strings; seven 'played' string and 13 sympathetic strings which sit underneath the played ones and are tuned to different ragas. The instrument is fretted, yet players pull the strings on the frets to bend notes, creating the stunning colours and subtle nuances for which the sitar is known.
"When I play it takes me back to my homeland" says sitarist Dr Sarita McHarg, "the sound of the temple, the mosque as well, and connecting me the with the people in daily day-to-day life. To smell the beautiful flowers and the sunrise. That's how I see the sitar, it's a part of me."
