The Tanpura is an instrument which is inseparable from the Indian Music System, be in North Indian or Carnatic Music. It is a fretless instrument with four strings and a much sought after instrument in the musical arena. It plays a vital role in creating an aesthetic ambience on the stage which supports the musician with a musical background.
The tanpura constitutes a sound board or “Tabli”, the gourd or “Tumba”, the neck heel or “Gulu” and fingerboard. It is made from Tun wood but sometimes Teak is also used. The outer surface of the tanpura is well decorated to add beauty to its look.
The Tanpura is a drone instrument, its literal meaning is “Adhar Swar” or bass note. On it an artist enjoys the fullest possible freedom of exploring the different elements of music. But the work of the tanpura should not be confused with the specific note or rhythm. The tanpura produces a melodic background but not the melody; although the artist has full liberty to play it with a sense of rhythm. It follows a certain rhythmic structure.
The word “Tanpura” is a combination of two words. First is “Tann”, which is of vital importance in music and refers to a particular aesthetical musical phrase and the second is “Pura” which means “full” or “complete”. Thus, literally tha Tanpura implies completeness of music.
The tanpura gives support to all forms of music, be it vocal or instrumental. Is crafts a musical continuity which any other string instrument, such as a Sitar or Sarod does not posses.
The special sound effect of the tanpura is achieved through its buzzing sound in which particular harmonics will resonate with focused clarity. Every string of the tanpura emits a wide spectrum of sound. Needless to say, for this the strings of the tanpura has to be attentively tuned to achieve a particular tonal shade and plucked by the fingers of the hand. There are many more things which are applied to get this effect, such as “Javari” and cotton threads, to fine tune the grazing contact to a different position on the Javari or bridge.
Tanpuras, as we mentioned, are made up of tun wood or Teak wood. Tanpuras come in different sizes and with different names, such as bigger smaller, male, female, instrumental and likewise. Generally there is a difference in a North Indian Tanpura and the one which is used in Carnatic Music . Here, the name too is different in the Carnatic style of Tanpura. These days there in another Tanpura which is electronic and very portable. Not only this, it does not require any person to play it. The tanpuras are designed in different styles, such as Miraj, Tanjore or Tamburi.
In a nut-shell, the tanpura, with tha vibration of its strings creates a carpet of sound, not only as an accompaniment for traditional Indian Music but also for modal improvisations, overtone singing and musical meditation.
(From Handobook of Tanpura – By Pankaj Vishal)