Northwestern India

Indian

Wood, coconut shell, horsehair, bone, goat skin, string
Length: 25.75 in; Width: 2.75 in; Depth: 4.25 in
Mid 20th century
Chordophones – Lutes

The ravanahasta (‘Ravana’s hand’) is a bow and/or spike fiddle from India.  It has been suggested that it is an ancestor of the violin and believed to be India’s oldest bow and/or spike fiddle.  This modern version of the  ravanahasta consists of two large lateral pegs inserted into the long wooden neck, and is similar to the Rasjasthan and Gujarat ravanhattha (also shown in this collection).   It has a coconut shell resonator covered with a goatskin sound table.  The end spike is metal, with a metal ring to which the 2 black horsehair strings are attached. The bridges are made of small wood, and the horsehair is tied down with white fiber twine just above the top neck bridge. The very top of the neck is carved wood in a stacked conic design and there is more twine tied to the top for hanging.  It is played with a high arched bow and is held in a vertical position when played.  History shows it was played by men and women court musicians for both folk and art music.