Different Parts of Sitar
Essential Parts of the Sitar (Beginner-Friendly)
1. Tumba (तुम्बा)
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The large resonating gourd at the bottom that amplifies sound.
2. Tabli (ताबली)
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The soundboard (front wooden plate) where the bridge sits.
3. Jawāri / Jawāri Bridge (जावरी)
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The main bridge that gives the sitar its buzzing tone.
4. Chota Jawāri (छोटा जावरी)
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The small bridge for sympathetic strings.
5. Baj Tāar (बज तार)
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The main playing string (usually the 1st string).
6. Chikari Strings (चिकारी)
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The rhythmic drone strings used for jhala and keeping laya.
7. Taraf / Tarafdar (तरफ़ / तरफ़दार)
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The sympathetic strings underneath the frets, which resonate automatically to enrich the sound.
8. Parda (पर्दा)
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The movable metal frets used to produce different notes.
9. Daand / Dand (डांड)
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The long wooden neck of the sitar where frets and strings run.
10. Gulu (गुलु)
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The curve/joint connecting the neck to the tumba.
11. Kunti / Pegs (कुँटी)
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The tuning pegs used to tune the main and taraf strings.
12. Tar-gahan (तारगहना)
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The small string guide near the peg box that keeps strings aligned.
13. Plectrum / Mizrāb (मिज़राब)
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The wire plectrum worn on the finger for plucking.
14. Tabkandi / Tabkandi Plate
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The decorative and protective wooden plate on the lower part of the tabli.
15. Stag / Toomba (Upper Tumba) (found on some sitars)
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A small additional gourd at the top for extra resonance.
16. Strings Set (Tar-set)
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The combination of main strings + jod/jawari string + chikari + taraf strings.
2. Tabli – The wooden top plate where the bridge sits.
3. Jawari (Main Bridge) – The flat bridge that creates the sitar’s buzzing tone.
4. Chota Jawari – The small bridge for the sympathetic (taraf) strings.
5. Baj Tāar – The first/main playing string.
6. Jod Tāar – The second string used for melody support and meend.
7. Chikari Strings – Drone strings used for rhythm and jhala strokes.
8. Taraf Strings – Thin sympathetic strings that vibrate automatically to enrich sound.
9. Parda (Frets) – Movable metal frets that give different notes.
10. Dand – The long wooden neck of the sitar.
11. Gulu – The curved joint connecting neck and tumba.
12. Kunti (Pegs) – Wooden tuning pegs for adjusting string pitch.
13. Tar-gahan – The small string guide near the peg section.
14. Mizrāb – The metal plectrum worn on the finger to pluck strings.
15. Tabkandi Plate – Decorative-protective plate on the lower tabli.
16. Upper Tumba (if present) – Small top gourd giving extra resonance.


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