Sitar
सितार
🌍 India
India's raga instrument — shimmering silk strings and centuries of classical tradition
Amy says:
Namaste! I'm Amy! The sitar is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world — it's used in Hindustani classical music and takes years to master. Ravi Shankar introduced it to millions when he played alongside the Beatles in the 1960s! The sitar's long neck, round gourd body, and cascading sympathetic strings create a sound unlike anything else. Incredible India!
Quick Facts
Strings
18–21 strings total
Type
Long-neck plucked lute
Age
~700 years old (Mughal era)
Music style
Hindustani classical
Discover the Sitar
The sitar has up to 21 strings — but you only play on 6 or 7 of them! The rest vibrate sympathetically, creating its rich, shimmering sound.
Instrument Type
String
Known As
सितार
Where It's Played
📷 Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC licence)
For Educators
Music is a universal language! Use this page to spark classroom discussions about culture, history, and how music connects communities around the world.
Did You Know?
A single concert by a sitar master can last three to four hours — the music builds slowly, layer by layer, from a quiet dawn mood to a thunderous climax.
The word "sitar" comes from Persian "se tar" meaning "three strings" — though early sitars had fewer strings than today's versions!
Ravi Shankar, the most famous sitar player of all time, won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for more at the age of 92 — just before he passed away.
What Makes the Sitar Special?
Sympathetic Strings
Beneath the main playing strings run 13 extra strings called tarabs — you never pluck them, but they vibrate in sympathy, giving the sitar its hauntingly resonant quality.
The Beatles Connection
George Harrison learned sitar from Ravi Shankar in 1966 and featured it on Revolver and Sgt. Pepper, introducing Indian classical music to millions of Western listeners.
The Gourd Body
The sitar's round body is made from a dried gourd — a natural vegetable shell. A master craftsman can spend months shaping and tuning a single sitar.
Keep Exploring the World!
Music is the heartbeat of every culture. Discover more incredible instruments and the countries where they are played.