---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-an-esraj'
title: 'What is an esraj?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T15:04:51+00:00'
updated: '2026-10-19T22:10:18+00:00'
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summary: 'The esraj is a bowed lute with frets and sympathetic strings, a waisted wooden body and a goatskin soundtable.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is an esraj?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

The **[esraj](/en-int/instrument/esraj)** is a bowed lute with frets and sympathetic strings. Museum examples carry four bowed main strings and 15 sympathetic strings, with brass frets tied to the neck. A goatskin soundtable covers the waisted wooden body, and a bone, ivory or horn bridge sits on a strap over the skin.



 

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## Related pages

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###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Esraj The esraj is a bowed, fretted lute with sympathetic strings, played upright with a horsehair bow in Hindustani music, Rabindra Sangeet and Bengali devotional…     ](/en-int/instrument/esraj)
 
  

 

 

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