Tanpura
तानपूराHindiSay it: taa · na · poo · raa
- aa ee oo ē ō — long vowels: hold them twice as long
The long-necked drone instrument that holds the pitch
MusicBharatanatyamKuchipudiMohiniyattamKathak
Meaning
The tanpura is a plucked, long-necked instrument, usually with four strings tuned to the tonic and fifth. It plays no melody; its steady drone sustains the shruti for singer and musicians. Today an electronic shruti box often takes its place.
Also written: tambura, tamboora, thamburu, tanpoora