What is "rubab"

alt. a traditional Central Asian lute-like musical instrument n. a traditional Central Asian lute-like musical instrument

Rubab, '''robab ''' or rabab (, , , , rubāb, Tajik and Uzbek рубоб) is a lute-like musical instrument originating from central Afghanistan. It derives its name from the Arab rebab which means "played with a bow" but in Central Asia the instrument is plucked and is distinctly different in construction. The rubab is mainly used by Pashtun, Tajik, Turkish, Kashmiri, Baluch, Azerbaijani, and Iranian Kurdish classical musicians. Rabab is a national music instrument of Afghanistan.

Rubab can refer to:

• Rubab (instrument), a lute-like musical instrument
  • Pamiri rubab, a fretless six-strung lute
• Rubab bint Imra al-Qais, wife of Husayn ibn ‘Alī
• Rubab Raza (born 1991), Pakistani Olympic swimmer
• Rubab Sayda (born 1950), Indian politician
• Meera (Irtiza Rubab) (born 1976), Pakistani film actress