Overview

The Nepali Sarangi (Nepali: नेपाली सारङ्गी) is a Nepali folk instrument. It is a chordophone played by bowing. Traditionally in Nepal, the Sarangi was only played by people of Gandarbha or Gaine caste (both contested and interchangeable terms), 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,[1][2] which is a plucked lute, has fallen into obscurity. The Nepali Sarangi consists of four strings. The original strings were made up of sheep intestine, similar to the use of catgut (made from the intestines of cattle) in many musical traditions around the world. The Gandharba received intestines of sheep sacrificed during major festivals like Dashain, which they left in a pot for some days. Once the entrails was fully rotten, it was pulled out, leaving behind the fine nerves of the intestine in the pot. These were then woven to make strings. However these days, badminton strings, nylon and steel strings have generally replaced gut strings. The bow was traditionally strung with horse tail-hair, but, in the modern days, nylon bowstrings are common. Jhalak Man Gandarbha, is one of the famous Sarangi players and singers who has composed many heart touching songs in Sarangi. His most famous composition "Aaama Le Sodhlin" is one of them.[4] With the rise of Nepali folk bands like Kutumba (band), many Nepali musicians have been inspired to learn this traditional instrument. A third-generation sarangi player in his family,[5] Kiran Nepali runs a sarangi centre in Kathmandu called Project Sarangi where sarangi lessons are given to aspiring musicians.

source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarangi_(Nepali)