Snippets of Information Music

* 13 May 2022
As with many different instruments, Santoor too has been developed under
various cultures. It is believed that Persian santur is the direct
predecessor of Santoor. Santur originated in Mesopotamia around the 4th
century CE. The first written record of Santur was in Persian history
texts and poetry around the 10th century. Persians have been believed to
brought Santur to Kashmir Valley, which resulted in Kashmiri santoor.
Up until the 20th century, it was considered a folk instrument.
Source: ipassio.com
* 12 May 2022
The Santoor’s name comes from the name Shata- tantri veena, meaning a
Veena of hundred strings. It consists of a hollow box with twenty five
bridges, each having four strings resting on it. It is played with the
help of two wooden mallets known as mezrabs.
The santoor has traditionally been used in the music of the Kashmir
valley as an accompaniment to Sufiana Mausiqi, a Sufi ensemble. It was brought into the
classical tradition by Pt.Umadutt Sharma, who brought it into
Hindustani classical traditions.
The modernised santoor, played by Pt.Shivkumar Sharma and his disciples
has 31 bridges and 91 strings. The resonance is cut down by placing the
instrument on the lap of the player, rather than on a wooden stand.
The santoor is a predecessor of the piano because it is based on the same principle of a mallet striking metal strings.
Similar instruments are found in different parts of the world, with
different names. In China, the santoor is called Yang Quin, in Iran and
Iraq, the Santoor, in Greece, the Santoori, in Germany Hackbret.
Source: milapfest.com
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