“Only a tambura can bring in a tranquil aura”: Musicians comment on the convenience and compromise of digital tanpura

The four strings of the tambura that provide sruthi or the basic swara (pitch) for musicians are considered the life force for any melodic exercise. Fixed in jack wood to enhance the naada, yesteryear musicians were stuck to this pitch provider because there were no alternatives. […] While many are comfortable with the electronic gadget …

“The tambura is back. But where are the players?” – Interviews in The Hindu

Gaining prominence Despite the many alternatives available today, fortunately we still get to see the tambura player on stage. In fact, the first thing many musicians do after accepting a concert date is to book their preferred tambura player. As more musicians show a renewed interest in the instrument, the tambura is experiencing a resurgence. …

All craftsmen in Miraj are musicians – the wonderfully resonant Tanpura (Tambura)

Miraj is famous for tanpuras made by its craftsmen, who honed their skills by first becoming trained musicians. How did it ever strike someone to stick a piece of wood on a dried pumpkin, build this bridge and that and twist some strings on it, to make this wonderfully resonant thing one calls the tanpura? …

Video | Tambura-tanpura explained

Source: Musical instrument (tanpura) with keys for four string, © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2021URL: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O452622/stringed-instrument/Date Visited: 7 December 2021 The tambura or tanpura is a plucked drone instrument used to accompany instrumental or vocal performances. The four strings are played open rather than being depressed to alter the note. This example is considerably …