Tanpura
/ˈtɑːn.pʊə.rə/noun
A long-necked Indian string instrument used primarily to provide a continuous drone accompaniment.
Did you know?The tanpura’s characteristic shimmering drone comes from carefully shaped bridges and sympathetic string resonance, producing an acoustic texture associated with the foundational concept of nāda, or sacred sound, in Indian musical thought.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Near East
West Asian
tanbūr
“A long-necked plucked string instrument; the exact earliest origin of the term is uncertain.”
Medieval Period
Arabic
ṭunbūr
“A long-necked lute or plucked string instrument.”
Medieval–Early Modern Period
Persian
tanbūr
“A family of long-necked plucked lutes.”
18th–19th Century
Hindi
tanpūrā
“A plucked drone instrument used to sustain the tonal center in Indian music.”
Modern English
English
tanpura
“The Indian drone lute used in Hindustani and Carnatic musical performance.”
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