Weekly Photo Challenge: ADMIRATION
“Our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Weekly Photo Challenge: ADMIRATION – Tamboura musical instrument
Weekly Photo Challenge: ADMIRATION – Tamboura musical instrument
Indian classical music – Kaushiki Chakraborty explains the Tanpura
Are you familiar with the Tamboura/Tanpura/Tambura? It is an ancient, four-stringed musical instrument from India known by several names but mainly as Tanpura, and with roots in many other parts of the world. It is more of an accompanying sound because the extended four notes drone on and on, creating a hypnotic/harmonic resonance and calming effect.
Years back, when I lived in a yoga retreat center/ashram, I loved the morning meditations and chants that helped us start our day feeling centered and clear-headed. The Tamboura/Tanpura was one of the instruments that accompanied the morning chants, and its haunting drone sound could put you in a meditative state very quickly. One of my favorite musical chants was also called Tamboura, and so when the opportunity arose to take a class in learning how to play the instrument, I jumped right in.
Shortly after completing the class, I bought my own instrument and played it whenever the urge called. Sadly, a few years ago, a friend was visiting my home and bumped into my instrument, knocking it over; the incident left a hairline crack in the neck. It has never played the same again. Nowadays, it sits in the dining area as a decorative piece. I still admire my Tamboura/Tanpura because of its healing sounds and beautiful music.
[1 Hour] Healing Tambura – Sacral Chakra Meditation Music | Taanpura & Harp Sounds
More Below!
“Admiration for a quality or an art can be so strong that it deters us from striving to possess it.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Weekly Photo Challenge: ADMIRATION – Tamboura musical instrument
Weekly Photo Challenge: ADMIRATION – Tamboura musical instrument
Tamboura (Tanpura, tampura) #34
The love of family and the admiration of friends is much more important than wealth and privilege. Charles Kuralt
Part of the rich history of this hypnotic instrument traces back to Sangit Parijat in 1620. It is made of wood and has four strings wound tightly at the top. Some are made of dark wood, and others are made of redwood. What I always loved about them was the beautiful inlaid patterns that distinguish one instrument from another. Mine, above, has inlaid bone and some blue-tinged, colored pieces adhered to the instrument, but the decorations can get quite intricate.
The sizes vary too. They range from large (male) to medium (female) to small ones that are easy to carry. While they resemble a large sitar, the sound and instrument construction are quite different. I hope you’d take a moment to listen to the sound from any of the videos or links. You’d enjoy it. Happy weekend, all!
A prompt from WP Daily Post inspired this post: ADMIRATION. This week, in your response, depict something or someone you admire. Bonus points if you share a paragraph or two on the source of your admiration.
Positive Motivation Tip: In addition to love life and family, we admire a lot of things… enjoy them!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All photos are copyrighted and from my Personal Collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
The sound that tamboura makes is so calming. I love listening to meditation videos on Youtube. They help me fall asleep at night.
It is a beautiful instrument and the drone sounds can be very soothing, healing and sleep inducing… TY! 🙂
Love this! Meditating is amazing – so great to help you sleep too!
I love how calming this instrument is. Great challenge.
The Tamboura has such a magical, spiritual sound. You can really feel it resonate within you.
Yes, it’s one of my favorites.