At the roots of the tanpura
The tanpura, with its resonant and meditative tones, weaves an enchanting tapestry in the fabric of a concert. Let me paint you a poetic picture:
In the dimly lit hall, anticipation hangs heavy. The audience hushes, awaiting the first notes.
The Tanpura Awakens
- Sustained Harmony: The tanpura’s strings, tuned to perfection, resonate like ancient echoes. Their continuous drone, like a cosmic hum, anchors the music.
- Eternal Pulse: Its sound is not mere accompaniment; it’s the heartbeat of the raga. The tanpura’s unwavering rhythm pulses through the room, connecting all souls present.
- Subtle Overtones: Listen closely—the harmonics dance, creating a shimmering veil. Each pluck births a universe of overtones, delicate and ephemeral.
The Raga Unfolds
- Mystical Alchemy: As the main artist steps forth, the tanpura’s notes blend with the melody. Together, they invoke the divine—a communion of human and cosmic energies.
- Timelessness: The tanpura transcends time. Its resonance bridges centuries, linking us to ancient ragas, to sages who sang under moonlit skies.
- Sacred Vibration: The tanpura’s vibrations ripple through the air, touching hearts, invoking introspection. It’s not just sound; it’s a sacred vibration that stirs the soul.
The Concert Breathes
- Silent Witness: The tanpura sits unassuming, yet its presence is profound. It witnesses the artist’s ecstasy, the audience’s rapture, and the universe’s nod.
- Eternal Continuum: As the concert unfolds, the tanpura remains—a cosmic thread connecting past, present, and future. It whispers, “We are all part of this eternal raga.”
And so, in the quietude between notes, the tanpura sings—a silent sage, a guardian of tradition, a vessel for the infinite.
Yet you have to tune it!
Tune the tanpura
Yes, you have to tune your real tanpura at the beginning of the concert! This will take a few minutes to find a stable sound, but as you understood above, it’s worth it!
For tuning the tanpura, use our Shruti Box (👆 The Shruti box) or the Tone player (👆 Pure tone generator) to play Shadja, then you can start to make precise adjustments of your tanpura tuning. Cotton threads can also be shifted to change the placement of the strings over the carved bridge (jivari).
Use it on stage, along with iTabla Pandit Studio Pro
Then use the tanpura and/or shruti box from iTabla Pandit Studio Pro in the stage, with a handy sound speaker near the soloist, and By this way, you’ll get the best of both the virtual and real instruments!
Remember that tuning the tanpura is an art, and it takes practice to achieve the perfect balance. Each string contributes to the overall sound, creating a serene and meditative backdrop for Indian classical music performances.
Our instruments
We are proud to present you our instruments: (coming soon)