Learning the sitar?

What are the names of the sitar’s strings?

Each of the main played strings on a sitar has its own name. In the widely used Kharaj-Pancham tuning (the style popularised by Ravi Shankar), the seven main strings are traditionally referred to as:

1. Baj (1st string) – the main melody string, tuned to Ma (F)
2. Jod (2nd string) – tuned to Sa (C)
3. Laraj (3rd string) – tuned to Pa (low G)
4. Kharaj (4th string) – the bass drone, tuned to low Sa (C one octave down)
5. Pancham / Kharaj Pancham (5th string) – tuned to low Pa (G), this is the string most people are asking about when they search for “sitar ka paanchva tar”
6. Chikari 1 (6th string) – a high drone/rhythm string tuned to Sa
7. Chikari 2 (7th string) – a second high drone string, also tuned to Sa

Underneath these you’ll also find 11 to 13 sympathetic strings (taraf), which are never struck directly but ring along with whatever is played above them. Exact naming varies slightly between gharanas (schools) and between the Kharaj-Pancham and older Vilayat Khan tunings.

How the sitar’s frets work

Unlike a guitar, the sitar’s frets are not fixed. They are curved, arched strips of metal tied to the neck with thread (or, on cheaper sitars, nylon fishing line), and they can be slid up or down to suit different ragas. The curvature is crucial: it is what lets a player pull a single string sideways across multiple semitones to produce meend, the characteristic long, vocal glides that give the sitar its singing quality.

Last updated: April 2026

A traditional Indian instrument, the sitar can have up to 20 strings, seven of which are played and the remainder act as “sympathy” strings giving the sitar its unique sound. The sitar is believed to have evolved into its current form around the 1700s and particularly prevalent to classical Indian music, especially in the Northern region of Hindustani.

Beginners beware: Whilst playing the sitar can be immensely enjoyable, after sitting down in a cross legged fashion for a considerable amount of time standing up can be extremely difficult!

Sitting comfortably makes a big difference. Most players sit cross-legged with the gourd resting on the sole of the left foot and the neck of the sitar leaning up to the right, supported by the left knee. Keeping the back straight and the left hand free to slide along the neck is more important than it sounds.

Quick facts about the sitar

• A typical sitar has 18 to 21 strings in total.
• 6 or 7 main strings run over the raised frets and are the ones actually plucked.
• 10 to 13 sympathetic strings (called taraf) run underneath the frets and resonate along with the played notes, creating the sitar’s unmistakable shimmer.
• The sitar has around 20 curved, movable metal frets (known as parda or thaat), tied to the neck with thread so they can be repositioned for different ragas.
• It originated in North India and took its modern form around the 1700s.
• The body is traditionally carved from tun (Indian cedar) or mahogany, with a hollowed gourd acting as the main resonating chamber.

Tuning 

Tuning each of the 7 strings of the sitar, push each peg into its hole, thus tightening the peg to stop it slipping out of tune.

Ravi Shankar’s method of tuning the sitar is now the generally recognised technique, however it is different from the common system found in India. In Indian common tuning, strings 2 & 3 are both tuned to C, with the following 4th string a G.

In Ravi Shankar’s tuning the 2nd string is C, 3rd is G and 4th is lower C, an octave below the 2nd string. 

Bending strings

Predominantly performed on the 1st string, bending on a sitar is designed to be done across multiple frets across the curved fretboard.

Indian musicians believe that whilst playing the sitar players must feel the music, therefore allowing creative imagination to decide which notes to bend to.

Using the Mezrab

The Mezrab is a sitar plectrum, worn on the the right index finger. A long, pointed metal wire covers the nail and hooks itself under the finger.

Different sized Mezrab can be purchased depending on finger size – choosing one that is too big will undoubtedly fall off and inconvenience playing.

Factors to look out for when purchasing a sitar:

• The depth and clarity of the carving should be clean and deep
• General rule: older sitars are better quality, often made from Indian mahogany or Burmese teak
• Quality meend. The ability to bend or pull the main string for a wide range of notes is a crucial element of a sitar. The best sitars have a meend range of 5 steps, from the tonic note to the fifth.
• Always get a case! Sitars are delicate instruments, they need care and attention.
• The frets should be rather thick, tied on tightly with thread. The frets of cheap sitars are often tied on with nylon fishing line. Before purchasing, make sure that a reputable dealer will retie the frets using strong thread.

Whichever sitar you pick, the usual rules for buying and selling instruments online still apply: ask for clear close-up photos of the carving, frets and gourd, check who set it up, and never skip the case.

Is the sitar hard to learn?

Honestly, yes. The sitar has a reputation as one of the more demanding instruments to pick up. Beginners commonly report sore fingertips for the first few weeks until calluses form, and the cross-legged playing posture takes some getting used to. Tuning alone can be intimidating, with anywhere from 18 to 21 strings to keep in check.

The good news is that there are two common beginner paths. The Kharaj Pancham style (associated with Ravi Shankar) is generally considered the more approachable starting point for complete beginners, while the Vilayat Khan style drops the bass drone strings and is favoured by players coming from a more melodic, vocal background. Either way, a teacher is strongly recommended: the subtleties of meend, ornamentation and tuning are very hard to absorb from videos alone.

Sources

• Thomas Voigt – Sitar virtual tuner
• Last Minute Musicians – Indian and Bollywood bands for hire
• LiveMint – Ravi Shankar: 10 interesting facts
• Yellow Bell Music – History and origins of the sitar

Do you play the sitar? Perhaps you have some tips for beginners? Let us know in the comments below!