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.
![]() 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 |
Description
editThe 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
editThe term "chikara" is often used ambiguously to describe a variety of unrelated folk fiddles of northern India.[3]
Related Instruments
edit- Chikari, smaller version of chikara.
- Sarangi
References
edit- ^ "Indian Musical Instruments (Vaadya)". Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "Indian Heritage - Music - String Instruments". Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- ^ "Music of India". Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.