Question

give info about the ancient tanpura​

Answer 1

Answer:

Tanpura, tambura and many variations on the name are found from Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Turkey, throughout North-Africa, the Middle-East and India. It is not only found as a lute but also as lyres and drums. It is therefore a little difficult to determine exactly which instrument is being discussed when doing research.  

So to clarify this confusing situation, I will use the following names. For the North Indian "tanpura", South Indian 'tambura", and for the instrumental "tanpuri". The collective name for the instrument in general is "tanpura".

There are two main fields of thought concerning the development and growth of the Indian tanpura. Firstly, that the tanpura was a natural development from the indigenous instruments within India itself. Secondly, the fact that the Arab-Persian musicians introduced not only their music, but also their instruments, namely the tanbur.  I would also like to add that the Indian tanpura is rather special in the sense that it is actually a lute shaped instrument, played as a lyre. In my mind the tanpura could in fact also be categorized as a lyre. Even though it looks like a lute, its playing technique, stringing and purpose could easily be categorized as a lyre. However the shape of the modern day tanpura probably means the instrument did evolve from the tanbur, but was influenced by the lyre and the sound from the ancient instruments from the pre-Indus valley times (see chapter on the historical development of Jawari). What stays a mystery, is how this instrument really developed between the Indus valley period up until the 6th century.

Answer 2

$\huge\bold\star\red{mr phenomenol}\star$

The tanpura is an instrument that acts as the reference chord in Indian classical music. It has a resonator and 4 strings, but no frets, as the notes are always played whole. The name is derived from tana or musical phrase and pura or whole. It consists of a resonator, and a long neck at the end of which metal strings are attached that run over the whole body of the instrument.

Indian classical music is based on the concept of ‘shruti’ or drone, with each singer and instrument finding a base pitch that can comfortably encompass most notes.

Tanpuras are of several styles, the best known being Tanjore style- predominantly used by Carnatic musicians, Miraj style- used by Hindustani musicians, and Tamburi used by instrumental soloists. The Miraj style is made out of special dried gourd, while Tanjore style is made out of wood. Both are between 3 to 5 feet tall. The tamburi is smaller, with a flatter resonator.

Very often, students of the main musician play the tanpura while sitting slightly behind the main artists on stage.