Tanpura

The instrument is called Tanpura in the North and Tambura in the South.

Desicritics 2009

The Tanpura is the backbone of Indian music, Sitars have brought it fame, and the Veena is one of the most ancient instruments in the world.

Desicritics 2009

The Tanpura is a unique instrument in the function that it performs; there are no Tanpura concerts, though it may be used for meditation.

Desicritics 2009

Learning to tune a Tanpura is also considered essential in training one's ear.

Desicritics 2009

Maintaining sruti, or singing in pitch is very important and therefore the Tanpura is absolutely essential in Indian classical music.

Desicritics 2009

I've chosen this video because it has clear close-ups of her fingers on the Tanpura strings:

Desicritics 2009

All Indian classical vocalists, of the well-known styles of Indian classical music i.e. the North Indian style of Hindustani music (further subdivided into the quite distinct Dhrupad and Khayal styles) and the South Indian Carnatic style of music are accompanied by a Tanpura or Tambura (there are other less well-known forms of Indian art music that I shall not refer to here).

Desicritics 2009

Thus maintaining the basic "Sa," the fixed reference point is very important, and that is what the Tanpura does. (this is different to Western music).

Desicritics 2009

A Tanpura is usually held straight up in front of the singer or tanpura accompanist (people can tend to lean it towards their bodies or put it in their laps) or flat down on the floor, whereas a Sitar is usually held diagonally across the body.

Desicritics 2009

Essentially, the Tanpura sings a recurring melody.

Desicritics 2009