Tambura Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

Tambura Facts

The tambura is a long-necked plucked string instrument, popular in the accompaniment of the sitar or sarod in Indian music. The body shape somewhat resembles a sitar, though a tambura has no frets. Its strings are always plucked at their full lengths. One or more tamburas are commonly used to accompany vocalists or other instrumentalists. The instrument is known by many names, including tanpura, tampuri, tanbura, and tamburi.

What makes the sound so distinctive? The instrument has four or five steel strings which are plucked with a plectrum. The strings are plucked one after another in regular patterns to create a harmonic resonance on the basic note or keynote. Because the body is typically carved from a single block of wood, the instrument can be quite heavy.

More Tambura Facts

Fun Fact
A person who performs on this string instrument is called a tamburist.

Notable tamburists include Ashwin Batish, Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar, Rumen Sirakov, Ranjani Sivakumar, and Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon.

Tambura Four-Panel Canvas Prints

Strong Hooks on Each Panel for Easy Hanging

Tambura String Instrument 4-Panel Poster Four Framed Canvas Prints – 16×32 Each

Listen to the Tambura

Performed by Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar

If you’re feeling stressed out, let the sound of the tambura lead you to a state of calm. As a young man, Sri Shyamji Bhatnagar studied with the renowned vocalist, Pran Nath, who believed that the expression of music was a sacred art and a pathway to the Divine. From Pran Nath and other vocalists, Shyamji learned to play the tambura. In the seventies he had the honor of accompanying Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar, including performances at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. As founder of the Chakra Institute, Sri Shyamji leads and inspires a worldwide network of students and professionals.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve created more than 2,000 products for string instrument players and music lovers. Find a unique gift for your favorite tambura player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Tambura collection.

Find a Tambura Online

Tun Wood 5-String Flat Tambura

Product details:

Made with thoroughly-dried tun wood
Wood-color finish, polished to perfection
Exquisite detailing on front of instrument
5 strings, fully tuned
Extra set of strings
Special heavy padded gig bag
Approximate length 38 inches
Handmade and professionally tested

5-String Flat Tambura String Instrument Polished Tun Wood Back

Tambura Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite tambura player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

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