| Ektara (ek,
one + tara, string) a one-stringed musical
instrument commonly played by folk singers, bauls,
and fakirs (Muslim devotees). The body of the ektara is made from
the shell of a bottle gourd, wood apple, coconut etc. The instrument is
given different names according to the material of which it is made. The
lau, for example, is made from the bottle gourd. A famous Baul
song refers to this in 'sadher lau banaila more vairagi' (My dear bottle-gourd
turned me into a Vaishnava). However, the body may also be made of wood
or brass.
Ektaras
made of wood-apple shell or coconut shell are comparatively smaller
in size. The bowl of the instrument is covered with skin and fixed
to a prepared bamboo, approximately three feet long which has been
split into four at one end. Two strips of bamboo are carefully cut
away and the bowl fixed between the remaining strips. The string,
which is usually made of steel, is attached to the bottom of the
bowl and then to the wooden knob, called kan (ear), at the
other end. The string is tightened or loosened by turning the knob.
The ektara may be held in the right hand and played
with the right forefinger. Bauls usually hold the ektara close to
the ear and strum upon it while singing. |
|
Ektara |
The Vina is believed to have developed from the ektara.
[Wakil Ahmed]
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