page_title: Sarangi (Nepali)
section_title: The Sarangi Players: Gandharba
hierarchical_section_title: Sarangi (Nepali) / The Sarangi Players: Gandharba
caption_attribution_description: English: Bhim Bahadur plays the traditional sarangi made from bamboo, Nepal
context_page_description: The Nepali Sarangi is a Nepali folk instrument. It is a chordophone played by bowing. Traditionally in Nepal, the Sarangi was only played by people of Gandharba or Gaine caste, who sing narrative tales and folk song, however, in present days, its popularity extends beyond the Gandharba community and is widely used and played by other caste members as well. It has also garnered much interest in other music genres, such as Nepali rock and film music. While the Sarangi has become the quintessential Gandharba instrument, while its counterpart, the arbajo, which is a plucked lute, has fallen into obscurity.
context_section_description: The Nepali word Gandharva is derived from Sanskrit language. According to Brihad Nepali Shabdakosh (Extensive Nepali Dictionary),  Gandharba is a caste whose members are famous for singing the songs of historical, social, political and cultural legacy such as gatha sabai, gatha, karkha. These were songs mostly written in the praise of the then kings, prime ministers, national heroes and nation as well. 
  As in the past, the Gandharba still travel from one place to another singing about legendary heroes, national history, their lived experiences and the lives of the people they encountered on their way. That tradition is still seen across Nepal where Gandharba travel to other villages and sing songs to earn their living. Gandharba also make instruments or work as session musicians these days.
caption: A bamboo sarangi from Nepal
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