Sarangi soul

Bharat Nepali, Sarangi teacher has been playing the Sarangi for the past 45 years. For him music is not just a part of his life but a way of living. His job as a Sarangi teacher gives him the chance to hone his expertise further. At his workshop one can find Sarangis on display made by the artist himself.

What goes into making a Sarangi?

A typical Sarangi is made by hand, usually from a single block of wood. The material used is sourced locally. The instrument has a total of six parts including the knot, bridge, neck, hollow section, stand and the skin. It takes weeks or a month at least depending upon the craftsmanship

involved in making it. However, the design of a sarangi varies from region to region.

How do we familiarise our musicians with the Dhamngyen?

We can start by organising workshops and by regularly incorporating its tunes in mainstream songs.

Any known musicians associated with this instrument?

There aren’t any musicians, that I know of, in the mainstream music industry who are known to have played or play this instrument. Most musicians who play Dhamngyen can be found in Rasuwa district and they are the best. Rasuwa has managed to preserve the Dhamngyen. Dhawa Wangel Tamang Moktan, whom I met frequently during my research, is the one who makes and plays the instrument in its raw form.