What is a fret on a sitar?

A fret on a sitar is a raised ridge on the neck of the instrument, which helps musicians change the pitch of the strings when pressed down. Unlike the fixed frets found on many other string instruments, sitar frets can be movable, allowing for adjustments to accommodate different tuning systems. The sitar typically features both regular and sympathetic strings, and the frets play a crucial role in producing the instrument's distinctive sound and facilitating complex melodic patterns.