The Dilruba, Israj, and Sarangi are fiddle-like chordophones that are played with a bow. The Dilruba, Israj, and Sarangi are structurally very similar. They are the same in the following ways: carved from wood, relatively short and squat in shape, goat skin soundboards, main and sympathetic strings, the bow is drawn across the main strings and the sympathetic strings resonate, and the bridges are moveable to adjust the tone. They differ in: the shape of their resonators, the number of strings, and the manner in which the sympathetic strings attach.
It is believed that the Dilruba was developed in India to accommodate the female player. Sarangi and Sitar players can develop large calluses on their fingers, and the Sitar is sometimes too large for a child or small women. So it is believed that a few hundred years ago the Dilruba was developed from the better of the two instruments. The Dilruba is smaller and more easily held and played with a bow so as not to disfigure a woman’s hands.
Today the Dilruba is a favorite accompaniment of the vocalist. Easier to carry and play by women, the Dilruba’s higher tone compliments the women’s higher pitched voices. Vocalists also like that the bow creates longer sustains than the Sitar.
If you are able, sit crossed legged. Rest the neck of the instrument over your left shoulder. The body of the Dilruba rests on the floor or on a Tabla cushion. In this position it is easy to play with the bow like a small bass fiddle. Angle the soundboard slightly toward you. You draw the bow across the main strings just above the bridge. Your left hand notes the strings between the frets. When playing the Sitar the strings are pulled laterally and produce a sliding sound. This is not the case when playing the Dilruba. The frets of the Dilruba are guides for correct finger placement and not for pulling the strings. The index, middle and sometimes the ring fingers are used to note the strings. You press the strings between the frets. Do not press hard, that will dampen the sound. Your fingers should glide over the strings. You can then slide your finger up or down, from note to note, to achieve the portamento, or long-and-flowing-vibrations, characteristic of Indian music. To facilitate this sliding, you may want to keep a small amount of baby oil for your right finger tips. Do not get this oil on the other parts of the instrument, especially the soundboard and bow hair.
The Bow has a wooden handle and may likely have horse hair. To hold the bow, seat the end of the bow into or against your palm so that it can be pushed. Your thumb rests over the end, the ring finger is hooked through the center and the index and middle finger over the top. This is a different grip than holding the violin bow. If you find the Dilruba bow too heavy at first, or if your bow breaks, you can substitute a cello bow which is lighter and wider.
Remember to rosin up the bow. Keep the hair of the bow free from oils, so do not touch it with your fingers.