Sandeep Mishra: Sarangi culture and legacy
Sandeep Mishra and the Sarangi story
Sandeep Mishra, is one of the few exponents of this magnificent bowed instrument that continues its remarkable journey across the musical world. Hailing from a family of Sarangias, adhering to the Banaras Gharana, his versatility marks him as one of the shining lights of this ancient soulful Saaz. Having begun his musical sojourn at the tender age of four years, training as a vocalist under his grandfather Pt. Narayandas Mishra it was Sandeep’s father Pt. Santoshdas Mishra who groomed him in the rare musical instrument that went on to become his calling… the Sarangi. Sandeep, over the years, has gone on to master both the Tantkaari and the Gayaki Ang of playing
The Sarangi and the Human voice
If ever there was a musical instrument closest to the human voice it is the resonant Sarangi. There is enough evidence of many Sarangias beginning their musical training as vocalists. The 3 main and 36 sympathetic stringed, fretless bowed instruments is complex and difficult to master unless pursued with supreme dedication
There is a remarkable story about Sandeep Mishras Sarangi. The way it circled across the globe to reach him is stuff that legends are made of. Sandeep’s Sarangi is an over 70-year instrument that was taken to the US by his fathers’ student over three decades ago. The Shishya did some decorative work on the Sarangi and wished that it be sent back to his teacher in India through a will he made. And the Sarangi echoed back to India. It has been over 35 years now that Sandeep is playing the same instrument
That he has performed across the spectrum of music showcases his amazing adaptability. From Vidushi Girija Devi to Kaushiki Chakraborty from the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain to Tabla maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhary; from amazing danseuses like Sitara Devi and extraordinary Kathak exponent Pt. Birju Maharaj, Sandeep has performed with the legends of Indian music and dance. When it comes to film and light music, Sandeep has left a mark adding gravitas to the work of popular music directors Pritam and Himesh Reshammiya among others. Sandeep has also been the preferred choice of stalwarts like Jagjit Singh and Anup Jalota. Some of the films he has contributed to include Brahmastra Chandramukhi and plays like Katar Kaljat Ghussli and Sangeet Man Apman.
About the Instrument:
The instrument unlike other instruments are handcrafted and not machine produced which is one of the reasons why no two sarangis are identical looking unlike guitars or violins that are factory made. Crafted in Meerut near Delhi, the Sarangi Sandeep Mishra uses has a unique tonal quality unlike any other Sarangi. Its alluring tone was so endearing to the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain that after hearing him in concert he enquired if the strings on his Sarangi were metallic. When Sandeep said that they were normal gut strings he said that it was sounding great even as it was tuned to the C Note which is a low note. Normally Sarangis are tuned to higher notes for best results, but Sandeep’s Sarangi sounded equally rich even when tuned to the C Note. Sandeep is also particular about doing the Jawari (Tuning the sarangi for optimum sound) himself.
What better sound proof method can you look for when you are carrying the legacy of the Benares Gharana of Sarangi in your Sarangi?