Esraj is an accompanying musical string instrument especially in Rabindra sangeet. In Hindustani classical music however, it has been used as a solo instrument too. Esraj is considered to be a modern invention of the Dilruba that was made and popularized by the Namdharis.
The structure of Esraj – the stringed musical instruments, comprises a medium sized neck with 20 heavy metal frets. The neck holds on a long wooden rack of 12-15 sympathetic strings.
Esraj has four main metal strings which are bowed. The soundboard is a stretched piece of goatskin like that of Sarangi’s.. Sometimes Esraj also comes with a gourd attached to the top, either to strike a balance or for enhancing the tone.
It is played with a bow, with the other hand moving along the strings over the frets.