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
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

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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

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

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  • Chikari, smaller version of chikara.
  • Sarangi

References

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  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.