The sitar is a plucked stringed instrument used mainly in Hindustani classical music. It is famous for its distinctive shimmering sound, which is produced by a combination of playing strings and sympathetic strings. While a sitar may have 18 to 21 strings, only 6 or 7 are actually played. The remaining strings sit underneath the frets and vibrate in 'sympathy' with the main strings, creating a natural reverb and harmonic richness. The frets are curved and movable, allowing the player to pull the strings sideways to achieve a 'meend' (glissando), which mimics the nuances of the human voice. The bridge, called a 'ghorat,' is flat and wide, causing the strings to buzz slightly against the surface—a sound known as 'jawari.' The sitar gained global fame in the 1960s when Ravi Shankar taught George Harrison of The Beatles how to play, leading to the birth of 'Raga Rock.'