---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-lk/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-an-esraj'
title: 'What is an esraj?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
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date: '2026-10-19T15:04:51+00:00'
updated: '2026-11-02T00:16:11+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 2 November 2026

 

The **[esraj](/en-lk/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. It has no standard tuning; Ma, Sa, Pa, Sa and Ma, Sa, Pa, Pa are two arrangements for the four main strings, as on the closely related dilruba.



 

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