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(a.k.a Swaragat, Sarbutle)

by David Courtney working tools

swarabat, swaragat, sarbutle

The swarabat (a.k.a. swaragat, sarbutle) is a very rare instrument of southern India.  It is essen­tially a bass rabab.  As such, it is in the same family of in­stru­ments as the seni rabab, kabuli rabab, dotora, and the sarod.  It has a body made of wood up on which a skin is stretched.  On top of this skin, a bridge is placed upon which a num­ber of strings pass.  These strings are us­ually of silk.

A num­ber of great per­sonages are known to have played the swarabat.  These in­clude in­clude Parmeswara Bhagavathar, the Raja Swati Thirunal, Baluswami Dikshitar (the brother of the great Muthuswami Dikshitar), Veene Seshana, and Krishna Iyengar.  Today this instrument is nearly extinct.

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