SUR-O-JHANKAR is a traditional, little known small tanpura maker from Calcutta with whom India Instruments got into contact only in the year 2000 via a student of Pandit Jasraj. His male tanpuras are exceptionally big and have an especially full, dark and earthy sound. Their plainly decorated, nearly black appearance seems very traditional and slightly archaic compared to modernly styled instruments. We carry only male tanpuras of Sur-O-Jhankar, because of their unique sound quality (see below).

CHARACTERISTICS
The male tanpura of Sur-O-Jhankar is a noble brand-named instrument. Its special feature is a very light construction with relatively thin walls. This adds a unique warmth and dark earthyness to its powerful and carrying sound which is also rich in overtones. Material and workmanship are of the highest quality. Its dark colour and yellow gourd give it a fairly traditional look. Standard tonic C - D.

FEATURES
Dark stained toonwood, horn bridge, four strings, mirror-finished shellac surfaces, corpus made of pumpkin, inlay work made of celluloid.

Please click on an image to have a closer look. The pictures show samples of this model, but each individual instrument is unique in colour and ornamentation!

MEASUREMENTS
Length: 145 cm, width: 45 cm, depth: 38 cm, vibrating string: 102 cm, weight: 3,7 kg

Price: 720,- EURO

GENERAL INFORMATION
The string vibration on the bridge (and thus the audible overtones) depends upon the angle of the bridge and the tension, thickness and material of the strings. A thread between the string and the bridge allows subtle manipulations of the contact angle. By moving the thread position the buzz of each string can be adjusted individually.
The above description is meant to give a rough orientation. Each instrument is a hand-crafted individual and might differ from the description.

Glossary entry TANPURA