A traditional sitar augmented with a dynamic harmonic system — engineered for real-time harmonic motion, and built so the performer remains at the center of every note.
A centuries-old instrument, given a dynamic harmonic system.
The Harmonic Sitar keeps the body, strings, and voice of the traditional instrument intact — then adds a robotic, dynamic harmonic system that expands its harmonic possibilities in real time. It is robotically augmented, not automated.
There is no machine performing in the musician's place. The system responds to the player; the player stays in command. The result is an instrument with a wider harmonic range and new expressive motion — still played, still human.
An ancient instrument, a future mechanism — and the performer always at the center.
The augmentation is a set of coordinated subsystems — each engineered to add harmonic motion without taking the instrument out of the musician's hands.
The core mechanism that extends the instrument's harmonic range and shapes it in motion.
Embedded control and mechanical glide that move with the performance, moment to moment.
Sensors that read the player's intent and the instrument's state to keep response immediate.
Firmware and real-time systems coordinating motion, timing, and stability under live conditions.
Mechanical and acoustic design that integrates the system into the body and feel of the sitar.
Interfaces that keep the musician in command — the system extends expression, never overrides it.
Iterate the harmonic system on the bench — mechanism, geometry, and feel.
Firmware, actuation, and real-time control tuned for live response.
Read the player's gesture and the instrument's state to drive harmonic motion.
Fit the system to the sitar's body and acoustics without compromising the instrument.
Refine against real playing — the musician's experience is the measure of success.
The Harmonic Sitar began as the vision of Yoav Fekete before NaadLabs existed. NaadLabs is the technical and R&D vehicle created to manifest it. The musical and intellectual context lives alongside the build:
