Swarmandal

The SwarShala Indian music software includes Swarmandal and over 100 other perfectly sampled virtual Indian instruments.

About Swarmandal:

Swarmandal is a harp-like instrument known to accompany Hindustani vocal music. Its name indicates that it can produce many notes. This musical instrument has 21 to 36 strings and is hooked in a wooden box of around 30 inches long and fourteen inches wide. It is played according to the musician’s preference and holds no standard tuning or repetition of notes.

Swarmandal is stamped by hand and is played exclusively by the lead vocalist. It is similar to European psalteries. With the development in the modern world, Swarmandals are also transformed in their shape of a trapezoid or semi-trapezoid shape, measuring 20 inches in length and 11 inches in width. Old instruments have 21 strings, and the range may vary to 40 strings. Swarmandal is similar to an autoharp in many aspects, and strings are hooked in the nail lodged in the right edge of the instrument. There are tuning pegs associated with it that can be tightened with a special key.

The body of the Swarmandal is made of solid wood boards, and there is a brown waxed surface on it too. There are 12 wound bass strings ranging in diameter and up to 24 steel strings. Depending on the range of Swarmandal, the strings vary between 21 to 36 in number. The Swarmandal has a smooth finish with a beautiful design.

This instrument has its origins in Iran and was used there for many generations. It arrived in India during the Mughal era. Wooden pegs were used to tighten the strings in the medieval period. Nowadays, rectangular metal pegs are used instead, with a special key. The vocalists use this instrument extensively, including legends like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan or Pandit Jasraj.