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The Instruments of Dhrupad

Tanpura (price 400 euros plus postage)

payment possible through bank transfer or paypal

The Tanpura embodies the most fundamental and crucial concepts of Indian classical music, though in the present scenario, with the widespread use of the harmonium and the surmandal, much of its significance has been lost. The Tanpura with three of its four strings tuned to the tonic or the sa, represents the fact that all the notes in Indian classical music including the sa are variable. A musician who understands the secrets of this instrument can tune it differently for different ragas. Most Dhrupad musicians even today sing only to the accompaniment of the Tanpura. The widespread use of the electonic Tanpura( a very poor substitute for the real thing) today has adversely affected the businesses of many traditional manufacturers of this instrument.

contact: Glynn Snellgrove for private sale offers of high quality tanpuras