Instruments at the Museum

Ravanhatta

In popular use by the Bhopa religious singers, the ravanhatta is a two-string stick fiddle from northwest India used to accompany the epic tales of Pabuji, a fourteenth century hero. It is has a wooden body and a small coconut resonator covered in skin. There is one melody string made from horsehair, a single metal drone string and a number of sympathetic strings. The round wooden bow has a number of small bells attached to provide rhythmic accompaniment.