The Sarod is one of the most exotic musical instruments in the world today. Its tonal quality, emotional range and dynamics are remarkable.

The body is carved from a single piece of well-seasoned teakwood. The belly is covered with goat skin and the neck with a highly polished steel plate. Since the sarod has no frets, the musician slides his nailtips along the plate. There are four main strings, six rhythm and drone strings and fifteen sympathetic strings, all made of various metals. These are played by striking with a plectrum made from coconut shell.

Though the sarod as been found in carvings of the 1st century in Champa temple and in paintings in the Ajanta caves, the present form of the sarod was developed about 200-250 years ago in India, as adaptations of Veena, Sursringar and the Rabab of Afghanistan and Kashmir.