DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3906#0188
( 182 )
The frets (sundaris) are made of brass or iron and range from 15 to 18 in number.
The bridge on the tomba over which the strings are carried is called gorach and
the perforated bridge near the "kliuntis is called tdrgahan, and is made of ivory
or bone. The strings (tar} are made either all of brass or steel or of some of each.
The number of strings varies from three to seven.
Sitdrs are made in Lucknow of three forms 'Madham , 'Pancham', and
'Tarbdar'. The 'Madham' is so called because its first string is the fourth note
('Madham') of the Hindu gamut, and 'Pancham' because its first string is the
fifth note. 'Tarbdar' is made with strings producing what may be called a
twang.
Sitars are sold at Es. 1-4; Rs. 2; Rs. 4; Rs. 5 ; Rs. 10; Rs. 25 and Rs. 50,
and the price varies according to the size, the string compass, and the finish
of the instrument. The Rs. 25 and Rs. 50 instruments are called Purbi, because
they have bodies made of hollowed wood which is against the custom of the West.
The 50 Rs. instrument has also much ornamentation by inlaying, gilding, &c.
The cost of manufacture of the cheapest sitdr would be about as follows:—
As. P.
Wood for ddndy &o., ...
Wire and glue,
Bone for bridges,
Sundaris (16)
Catgut (tant) for binding
Sundries,
Laid (gourd,)
Wages of labour,
As. 12 3
As this instrument sells for Re. 1-4 the manufacturer has a profit of 7 as.
9 pies. A workman can make a cheap sitdr in one day.
The cost of manufacture of a Rs. 25 sitdr is about:—
Wood for ddnd, &c,
Wire & glue,
Bone for bridges,
Sundaris (17),
Catgut,
Wages of labour,
6
0
0
9
0
3
2
0
0
3
6
0
2
6
As-
P
1
8
0
2
0
1
0
6
0
1
2
8
As. 4 10
This would leave Rs. 5-6 profits to the manufacturer after paying the oosfc
of materials and wages of labor. The labour is a matter of one labourer for
15 days, or more for a less time—pandarah nafar mazduri, as natives say, and
the manufacturer earns 5 as. 8 pies per diem. Thus the manufacturer who
makes both a cheap and a more expensive sitdr will have, on oneRe. l-4and one 10
Rs. sitdr, Rs. 5-13-9 profits. The clippings and cuttings of wood saved in making
The frets (sundaris) are made of brass or iron and range from 15 to 18 in number.
The bridge on the tomba over which the strings are carried is called gorach and
the perforated bridge near the "kliuntis is called tdrgahan, and is made of ivory
or bone. The strings (tar} are made either all of brass or steel or of some of each.
The number of strings varies from three to seven.
Sitdrs are made in Lucknow of three forms 'Madham , 'Pancham', and
'Tarbdar'. The 'Madham' is so called because its first string is the fourth note
('Madham') of the Hindu gamut, and 'Pancham' because its first string is the
fifth note. 'Tarbdar' is made with strings producing what may be called a
twang.
Sitars are sold at Es. 1-4; Rs. 2; Rs. 4; Rs. 5 ; Rs. 10; Rs. 25 and Rs. 50,
and the price varies according to the size, the string compass, and the finish
of the instrument. The Rs. 25 and Rs. 50 instruments are called Purbi, because
they have bodies made of hollowed wood which is against the custom of the West.
The 50 Rs. instrument has also much ornamentation by inlaying, gilding, &c.
The cost of manufacture of the cheapest sitdr would be about as follows:—
As. P.
Wood for ddndy &o., ...
Wire and glue,
Bone for bridges,
Sundaris (16)
Catgut (tant) for binding
Sundries,
Laid (gourd,)
Wages of labour,
As. 12 3
As this instrument sells for Re. 1-4 the manufacturer has a profit of 7 as.
9 pies. A workman can make a cheap sitdr in one day.
The cost of manufacture of a Rs. 25 sitdr is about:—
Wood for ddnd, &c,
Wire & glue,
Bone for bridges,
Sundaris (17),
Catgut,
Wages of labour,
6
0
0
9
0
3
2
0
0
3
6
0
2
6
As-
P
1
8
0
2
0
1
0
6
0
1
2
8
As. 4 10
This would leave Rs. 5-6 profits to the manufacturer after paying the oosfc
of materials and wages of labor. The labour is a matter of one labourer for
15 days, or more for a less time—pandarah nafar mazduri, as natives say, and
the manufacturer earns 5 as. 8 pies per diem. Thus the manufacturer who
makes both a cheap and a more expensive sitdr will have, on oneRe. l-4and one 10
Rs. sitdr, Rs. 5-13-9 profits. The clippings and cuttings of wood saved in making