Female and Male Tanpura (Miraj Style)

The Tanpura

The Tanpura is a four to six stringed fretless instrument made of wood, and usually combined with gourd. It provides the performing artist(s) with a tonic reference and enriches the background with its unique harmonic drone. The strings are tuned in a manner that emphasizes the tonic and the dominant notes of the raag. The bridge is slightly curved to not only provide a buzzing sound (as the strings are plucked), but also to generate various harmonics that enhance the tonal quality of the instrument. The size (gourd and neck) of the instrument may vary depending on whether the artist is an instrumentalist, male vocalist, or a female vocalist. Tanpura was most probably included as a part of a classical music ensemble since the seventeenth century.

The Tanpura has no frets, as only the open strings are played as a harmonic accompaniment to the other musicians. The string are plucked one after another in a regular pattern to create a harmonic resonance on the basic note The Tanpura player plucks the strings one at a time, in a steady, repetitive, almost orderly manner, using the index and middle fingers.
There are generally two bigger classes: the North Indian (Hindustani) and South Indian (Carnatic) models. The North Indian types are known as the "Miraj" models as they originate from the town of Miraj. The South Indian model is known as the Tanjore tanpura.

MALE TANPURA: These types of tanpuras are very tall. They accommodate male pitches from the key of B to D#. They have a very deep sound and hold a great deal of sustain

FEMALE TANPURA: These tanpuras are not as tall as the male ones. They are used to accommodate female pitches from the key of F to A#.

Female and Male Tanpura Carnatic Tanpura

(Miraj Style)

Our Product Range:

Since the Tanpura is not used much these days due to its alternative of Electronic Tanpura we have a limited range of the same. You may chose from the following range:

• Tun wood plain professional Tanpura

• Tun wood carved professional Tanpura

We only make Miraj style Tanpura. You can choose the color of the instrument from Natural, Brown and Black.