---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-a-sarangi-and-a-violin'
title: 'What is the difference between a sarangi and a violin?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T15:22:30+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'The sarangi has a skin table, is held upright and stopped with the nails, and carries about 35 sympathetic strings.'
tags:
  - 'Instruments & artforms'
image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
published: true
og:
  site_name: KalaSudha
  'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:type': image/svg+xml
  'image:alt': KalaSudha
---
 

 FAQ · Instruments &amp; artforms

# What is the difference between a sarangi and a violin?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

A **[sarangi](/en-gb/instrument/sarangi)** has a skin table where the violin has a wooden top, and its player stops the strings with the side of the nail rather than the fingertip. It is held upright in front of the chest by a seated player. It also carries about 35 sympathetic strings that sound only by resonance with its three bowed gut strings.



 

 Was this answer helpful? [  ](/en-gb/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-1005&destination=/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-a-sarangi-and-a-violin)

 [  ](/en-gb/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-1005&destination=/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-a-sarangi-and-a-violin)

 

 Thanks for your feedback!

 

 

## Related pages

 1 page mentions this question

 

 

###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Sarangi The sarangi is a short-necked bowed instrument of North India, close to the human voice. It has three gut strings and up to 37 sympathetic strings that ring…     ](/en-gb/instrument/sarangi)
 
  

 

 

   [     Previous question What is the difference between a morsing and a morchang?  ](/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-a-morsing-and-a-morchang) [  Next question What is the difference between a sarod and a rabab?     ](/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-a-sarod-and-a-rabab)