Chikara (instrument)

The chikara is a bowed stringed musical instrument from India used to play Indian folk music. It is used by the tribal people of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Description
The chikara is a simple spike fiddle played, similarly to the sarangi or sarinda, by sliding fingernails on the strings rather than pressing them to touch the fingerboard. It has 3 strings, two horse hair and one steel, in 3 courses and is tuned C, F, G.

Ambiguity
The term "chikara" is often used ambiguously to describe a variety of unrelated folk fiddles of northern India.

Related Instruments

 * Chikari, smaller version of chikara.
 * Sarangi