The Saranda is a unique instrument which originated amongst the Sikhs, designed, created and also played by the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji. He instructed his followers to practice and share the singing of sacred shabads with these instruments to elevate the soul to merge with the Creator.Guru Arjan blessed the whole nation with this instrument which is still used in Pakistan from Sindh to Baluchistan, in Afghanistan from Kabul to Kandahar and known as Saranda/Sirinda/Sarinda to play regional folk music. It is important to note that the instrument used in these areas for folk music is NOT the same as the Sikh Saranda used for singing Kirtan. The size, wood, structure and strings used for both types of instruments are significantly different and one should not be confused with the other.
This is an image of a Sikh Saranda based on the model created by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.
