Sitar

Hindustani Sitar

4 minute read

The Sitar is one of the most iconic stringed instruments in Indian classical music, known for its resonant, meditative sound and intricate melodic capabilities. It features a long, hollow neck, a gourd-shaped resonator, and multiple strings, including sympathetic strings that enhance its rich tonal quality. Played with a wire plectrum (mizrab) on the index finger, the Sitar allows for expressive bends (meend) and complex rhythmic patterns, making it a versatile and deeply emotive instrument.

The Sitar’s origins trace back to the Persian Setar and evolved in India during the Mughal era, particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. It gained global recognition in the 20th century, largely due to the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, who introduced it to Western audiences and collaborated with renowned musicians like George Harrison of The Beatles. Harrison, deeply influenced by Shankar, incorporated Sitar into popular Western music, most notably in songs like Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), sparking a cross-cultural musical revolution.

Many esteemed artists have carried forward the legacy of the Sitar, performing at prestigious festivals such as the Darbar Festival. Among them include Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Irshad Khan, Roopa Panesar, Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, and Niladri Kumar, each bringing their unique style and innovation to the instrument. Their performances continue to showcase the depth and timelessness of the Sitar, ensuring its place in both classical and contemporary music landscapes.

Ustad Shahid Parvez presents Raag Yaman, accompanied by Ojas Adhiya (tabla), at Darbar Festival 2018.

Roopa Panesar plays Raag Puriya, accompanied by Sukhvinder Singh (tabla) at Darbar Festival 2011.

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee performing a solo piece in the monsoon raga Miyan ki Malhar, recorded on location at the Rajbari Bawali, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

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Jasdeep Singh Degun & Sukhvinder Singh Pinky

Wed, 28 Oct 2026, 19:30

Milton Court, Guildhall School of Music

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Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee | Monsoon Miyan Ki Malhar | Sitar in a Thunderstorm

Recorded by Darbar in 2017, on location at The Rajbari Bawali, India Musicians: - Budhaditya Mukherjee (sitar) - Soumen Nandy (tabla) Raag Miyan ki Malhar; Thaat: Kafi; Samay: Night or Monsoon Sitar maestro Budhaditya Mukherjee’s spectacular rendition of the rain-bringing Raag Miyan Ki Malhar, live from an Indian thunderstorm. Full story in the description below. 0:00 | storm 0:36 | alap 1:00 | vilambit gat 8:53 | drut gat 12:10 | ati drut gat Nature takes pity on us and orchestrates the most magnificent light show we have ever witnessed, illuminating the courtyard for us. We exchange incredulous glances as we bear witness to one of the most magical moments we have ever experienced. -------------- Learn more: Budhaditya Mukherjee is revered for his extraordinary command of the sitar and surbahar - at age 22 veena maestro S Balachander described him as the ‘sitar artist of the century’. He first started learning from his father Bimalendu, and takes strong influence from Vilayat Khan. He is among India’s most respected sitar gurus, and has held academic positions in Europe. Today he tours the world, enrapturing audiences of newcomers and old connoisseurs alike. The Malhar family of ragas are associated with rejuvenation, heroism, and growth, and are said to summon monsoon rains if sung correctly. Legend has it that Emperor Akbar once asked Miyan Tansen to sing Deepak, the light-bringing raga, which caused all the lamps near him to ignite and burn so brightly that Tansen’s body began to be scorched. He went to the river to cool himself, but the water started to boil around him, forcing him to set out on a search for someone who could sing Raag Malhar to cure him. He eventually met two sisters, Tana and Riri, whose evocation of the raga caused a great storm to break, finally cooling him. Subscribe to the Darbar Player to access the full, uncut performance.