HISTORY OF
THE SANTOOR:
In
the beginning of the 20th century, Santoor entered the Indian
classical arena of Music. There were about 50 different shapes and varieties of
Veena during the ancient period. Especially, there is a reference of an
instrument called ‘Baan’ in Rig-Veda. It was used in ‘Sama-gayan’. The literary
meaning of word Baan is hundred stringed Veena which is also called
‘Shat-tantri Veena.’
There
is a difference of opinion about the origin of Santoor among scholars. Some
scholars believe that the Santoor arrived from Iran (Central Asia) to India but
most agree that it is derived from the ancient Indian instruments. Santoor is
popular instrument in Kashmir since ancient period especially in Sufiana
Mausiqi. Sufiana Mausiqi is not folk music instead it is similar to Indian
classical Ragas. The use of Santoor in Sufiana Mausiqi especially in Makam
(vocal) is since time immemorial.
In
traditional Sufiana santoor, there are 25 bridges. On the left side, steel
strings are being used and on the right side brass strings are being used.
There are 4 strings on each bridge which makes it 100 stringed
instruments.There are similar instruments to Indian santoor in the world also.
To name a few:
Salterio
(Maxico), Santur (Iran), Khim (Laos), Hackbrett (Germany), Tympanon (France),
Hammarharpa (Sweden), Hammered Dulcimer (USA) and the list goes on.
