Krachappi

rdf:langString Krachappi

rdf:langString Krachappi (Thai: กระจับปี่, pronounced [kra.tɕàp.pìː]), also spelled Grajabpi, is plucked, fretted lute of Thailand, used in central Thai classical music. It has four strings in two courses that are plucked with a plectrum and are constructed of teak or jackfruit wood. It can be played by holding the wand, which is composed of thin wooden planks, in your right hand and flicking the wires in and out while pressing the string with your left finger. Krachappi usually plays in a band called Mahori with four to eight instruments. The Department of Cultural Promotion listed Krachappi as a cultural heritage in 2011. Krachappi is an ancient Thai instrument and has been with the Thai people for over a century. The appearance, playing method, and song of Krachappi are all associated with Thai history. Thai music instruments are divided into 4 groups, namely, strum, string, percussion, and brass. The origin of Krachappi is ambiguous since there is a lack of evidence. However, there are assumptions from an Ethnomusicologist that it was created by Thai people or neighboring countries. The origin of the music instrument was presumed to come from the east since they found a similar musical instrument called Kacchapi in India and has been presented multiple times in Jainism literature. Moreover, the instrument named Kacchapi appeared in many Indian literatures, for instance, the painting of Saraswati the Hindu goddess carries Kacchapi which was found in 200 B.C. Although Krachappi is no longer as prominent in high society, Phin and Shu-oung continue to play a significant role in daily life. The Cambodian version of Krachappi is called the chapei dang veng or chapei.