12-06-2025
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The Banarsi Sitar: Where Craftsmanship Meets Melodic Warmth
While Kolkata (for its bright tone) and Miraj (for its precision) are renowned sitar-making hubs, Varanasi (Banaras) produces sitars with a distinctive tonal richness—deep, resonant, and perfectly balanced for classical performances. The city’s master luthiers blend traditional techniques with subtle innovations, making Banarsi sitars a favorite among discerning musicians.
Additional Information
Anatomy of a Banarsi Sitar: Precision in Every Curve
1. The Tumba (Gourd Resonator) – Heart of the Sound
Made from seasoned pumpkin gourd (kaddu), aged for years to enhance resonance.
Banaras craftsmen select gourds with thick, uniform walls for a warmer bass response compared to thinner-shelled Kolkata sitars.
Often slightly larger than other variants, contributing to its full-bodied sustain.
Made from seasoned pumpkin gourd (kaddu), aged for years to enhance resonance.
Banaras craftsmen select gourds with thick, uniform walls for a warmer bass response compared to thinner-shelled Kolkata sitars.
Often slightly larger than other variants, contributing to its full-bodied sustain.
2. The Dandi (Neck) – Carved for Perfection
Crafted from high-quality toon (Indian mahogany) or teak wood, known for stability in humid climates.
Wider neck profile than Kolkata sitars, allowing for easier meend (glides) and intricate taans.
Reinforced with bone or horn at stress points to prevent warping.
Wider neck profile than Kolkata sitars, allowing for easier meend (glides) and intricate taans.
Reinforced with bone or horn at stress points to prevent warping.
3. Frets (Pardas) – The Secret to Clarity
Brass or German silver frets, meticulously curved for accurate intonation.
Unlike factory-made sitars, Banarsi frets are hand-filed and adjusted to match the player’s style.
Movable (tied with thread) for fine-tuning, a signature of traditional craftsmanship.
Unlike factory-made sitars, Banarsi frets are hand-filed and adjusted to match the player’s style.
Movable (tied with thread) for fine-tuning, a signature of traditional craftsmanship.
4. Jawari & Taraf (Sympathetic Strings) – The Magic of Overtones
Banarsi jawari work (bridge shaping) is subtler than Kolkata’s, producing a smoother, less metallic jangle.
13 sympathetic strings (taraf)—tuned with precision to enhance raga-specific harmonics.
13 sympathetic strings (taraf)—tuned with precision to enhance raga-specific harmonics.
Why Choose a Banarsi Sitar?
1. Tonal Character: Warmth Meets Clarity
Kolkata Sitars → Brighter, sharper (ideal for fast taans).
Miraj Sitars → Crisp, focused (preferred for technical precision).
Banarsi Sitars → Deeper, rounder tone, perfect for alap, jor, and sustained meends.
2. Playability & Comfort
Slightly heavier but better balanced, reducing wrist strain during long performances.
Wider string spacing aids in clean plucking and gamak execution.
3. Aesthetic Elegance
Hand-carved floral motifs on the tumba and pegbox (unlike the plainer Kolkata style).
Natural polish (lacquer or shellac), not synthetic varnish, preserving wood resonance.
Kolkata Sitars → Brighter, sharper (ideal for fast taans).
Miraj Sitars → Crisp, focused (preferred for technical precision).
Banarsi Sitars → Deeper, rounder tone, perfect for alap, jor, and sustained meends.
2. Playability & Comfort
Slightly heavier but better balanced, reducing wrist strain during long performances.
Wider string spacing aids in clean plucking and gamak execution.
3. Aesthetic Elegance
Hand-carved floral motifs on the tumba and pegbox (unlike the plainer Kolkata style).
Natural polish (lacquer or shellac), not synthetic varnish, preserving wood resonance.
Legendary Makers & Players of Banarsi Sitars
Master Craftsmen
Rikhi Ram & Sons (Delhi-Banaras lineage) – Blending Banarsi warmth with Delhi’s structural refinement.
Radhey Shyam Sharma (Varanasi) – Known for custom raga-specific sitars.
Hiren Roy (Kolkata-Banaras hybrid) – Favored by Pt. Ravi Shankar in later years.
Rikhi Ram & Sons (Delhi-Banaras lineage) – Blending Banarsi warmth with Delhi’s structural refinement.
Radhey Shyam Sharma (Varanasi) – Known for custom raga-specific sitars.
Hiren Roy (Kolkata-Banaras hybrid) – Favored by Pt. Ravi Shankar in later years.
Who Plays Banarsi Sitars?
Ustad Shahid Parvez – Prefers Banarsi sitars for their sustain in slow gats.
Pt. Kushal Das – Uses a modified Banarsi sitar for Dhrupad-inspired alap.
Anoushka Shankar – Occasionally performs on a Banarsi-style sitar for deeper ragas like Darbari Kanada.
Pt. Kushal Das – Uses a modified Banarsi sitar for Dhrupad-inspired alap.
Anoushka Shankar – Occasionally performs on a Banarsi-style sitar for deeper ragas like Darbari Kanada.
Identifying an Authentic Banarsi Sitar
✔ Tap the Tumba – Should produce a low, resonant hum (hollow = poor quality).
✔ Check the Frets – Hand-filed edges, not perfectly uniform like machine-cut frets.
✔ Ask for the Wood’s Age – Aged toon/teak (10+ years) is standard for premium sitars.
✔ Play the Ma Note (Pa wire) – Should ring with minimal buzz and rich harmonics.
✔ Check the Frets – Hand-filed edges, not perfectly uniform like machine-cut frets.
✔ Ask for the Wood’s Age – Aged toon/teak (10+ years) is standard for premium sitars.
✔ Play the Ma Note (Pa wire) – Should ring with minimal buzz and rich harmonics.
Preserving the Tradition
With synthetic materials and CNC-cut parts flooding the market, authentic Banarsi sitar makers face challenges. Initiatives like:
Workshops for apprentices under veteran luthiers.
Documenting jawari techniques (a dying art).
Musician endorsements to promote handmade sitars.
Workshops for apprentices under veteran luthiers.
Documenting jawari techniques (a dying art).
Musician endorsements to promote handmade sitars.