Ultra Quality Calcutta SWARMANDAL SURMANDAL Harp for Indian Vocal Accompaniment

The swarmandal (Hindi: स्वरमण्डल; Bengali: সুরমন্ডল) or Indian harp is an Indian zither that is today most commonly used as an accompanying instrument for vocal Hindustani Classical music (the classical music of North India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh). The name combines swara (notes) and mandal (group), representing its ability to produce a large number of notes; it is also known popularly as Sur-mandal.

Swarmandals measure from twenty-four to thirty inches in length and twelve to fifteen inches in width. The singer may choose to employ any number of strings from 21 to 36. The strings are hooked in a nail lodged in the right edge of the swarmandal and on the left are wound around rectangular pegs which can be tightened with a special key. Wooden pegs were used instead of metal ones in the medieval period. A sharp half-inch ridge on both sides of the swarmandal stands a little apart from the nails on which the strings are tightened. This ridge functions as a bridge on both sides. The swarmandal is similar to the autoharp or zither in many respects.

It is also similar to an instrument from Iran, and has been used for many generations, dating back to the Mughal era. Some of the vocalists who have used this instrument extensively are Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (1902–1968),Ustad Salamat Ali Khan (1934–2003) , Pandit Jasraj (b 1930) and Kishori Amonkar (b. 1932).

It was used in The Beatles single "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," and "Within You Without You," from the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album. It was also used in the song "Across the Universe" from the "Let It Be" album.