Rare Indian Instrument - the Esraj | Raag Bhairavi | Arshad Khan | Music of India

#darbarfestival | Arshad Khan is a rare modern exponent of the esrj, a bowed instrument from Bengal which can mimic the cry of the human voice with startling accuracy. Learn more about the music: Arshad Khan is a leading exponent of the esraj, a rare bowed-fretted instrument from Bengal, long associated with Sikh devotional music. The instrument has been declining in popularity for decades, but is enjoying a small resurgence thanks to the ‘Gurmat Sangeet’ revival movement of Silk spiritual song. Arshad plays classically as well as bringing his instrument’s rich, vocalistic tone to soundtracks and fusion projects. Bhairavi is often described as the ‘queen of ragas’. It takes its name from the Hindu goddess of destruction, and conjures versatile moods. To some it can evoke ‘awe, terror, and chaos’; to others ‘a pleasant sobering atmosphere of love and piety’. It is played at sunrise, or alternatively as the final piece in a concert. Understanding the raga in depth is crucial to Hindustani l