Dilruba: The Closest Cousin

If the Esraj has a sibling, it’s the Dilruba. They’re so similar that people often confuse them, and honestly? That’s fair. They look alike, they’re constructed similarly, they even sound related.

But here’s the thing – they’re not identical twins. They’re more like brothers who grew up in different cities.

What makes Dilruba different:

• Slightly larger body usually
• The tone is a bit deeper, a bit more robust
• More commonly associated with North Indian classical music
• Has its own playing traditions and techniques

The Dilruba and Esraj share so much DNA – the fret system, the sympathetic strings, the general construction – but each developed its own musical identity. The Dilruba leaned more into the classical world, while the Esraj found its home in Bengal’s devotional music.

Both are rare instruments of India today, both deserve way more attention than they get.