Sarod-events in London

The Sarod is a prominent fretless string instrument central to Hindustani classical music, evolving from the Afghan rubab during the 18th and 19th centuries. Characterized by its deep, resonant tone and skin-covered soundbox, the instrument features a polished steel fretless fingerboard that facilitates the sliding glissandos, or meend, essential to Indian melodic structures. Performances typically progress from the meditative, non-metric Alap to the rhythmic Gat accompanied by the tabla, culminating in high-speed virtuosic sequences known as Jhala. While sharing the raga-based framework of the sitar, the Sarod offers a more percussive and heavy timbre, often evoking moods ranging from profound introspection to exhilarating technical brilliance.