---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-the-violin-and-the-sarangi'
title: 'What is the difference between the violin and the sarangi?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T18:58:50+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'The sarangi has a skin table and is stopped with the nails, while the violin has a wooden top; in North India the sarangi is still preferred.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

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

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

Both the **[violin](/en-int/instrument/violin)** and the sarangi are bowed instruments used in Indian classical music. The 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. Jameela Siddiqi of Darbar notes that in North India the sarangi remains the preferred bowed instrument.



 

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