It's True!

Surbahar, (meaning 'Spring Melody' in Hindi), is a plucked string instrument used in the Hindustani classical music of North India. It is closely related to the sitar, but has a lower tone, and is sometimes known as bass sitar. Depending on the instrument's size, it is usually pitched two to five whole steps below the standard sitar. Surbahar was invented by Omrao Khan Beenkar, the grandfather of Wazir Khan. However, the invention is also attributed to Ustad Sahebdad Khan, and recent research shows that Lucknow-based sitarist Ustad Ghulam Mohammed may have been invented it. The Dhaka audience will get the first taste of the surbahar at this year's Bengal Classical Music Festival through Irshad's Khan's performance (December 1).