Ek Taara / Do Taara

One string, or two, and centuries of wandering singers behind it.

The ektara and dotara are the minstrel's instruments, the drone and pulse of Baul song, nagar kirtan and folk devotion across Bengal and the north. Nothing in Indian music is simpler to start: pluck on the beat and sing over the drone.

What is it actually used for? A rhythmic drone under solo devotional singing, plucked on the pulse while you sing above it.

Is this the Punjabi tumbi? A close cousin, voiced higher and sharper, the twang of bhangra. Check each listing for which style you are looking at.

Hard to tune? One peg, one string. Tune to your Sa by ear or a phone tuner in seconds. This is the easiest entry into Indian strings that exists.

$95 to $349. Prices include free shipping to the USA, UK, Germany, Australia and many more countries.

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  • Maharaja Musicals Iktara, 1 Strings, Tun Wood (No. 297)

    Maharaja Musicals Iktara, 1 Strings, Tun Wood (No. 297)

    Maharaja Musicals Iktara, 1 Strings, Tun Wood (No. 297)
    $145.00
  • Maharaja Musicals Iktara, 1 Strings, Tun Wood (No. 132)

    Maharaja Musicals Iktara, Natural, 1 String, 21" (No. 132)

    Maharaja Musicals Iktara, Natural, 1 String, 21" (No. 132)
    $95.00
  • MKS Dotara, Tun Wood

    MKS Dotara, Tun Wood (No. 482)

    MKS Dotara, Tun Wood (No. 482)
    $349.00
  • MKS Iktara, 2 Strings, Neem Wood

    MKS Iktara, Natural, 2 Strings, Neem Wood (No. 487)

    MKS Iktara, Natural, 2 Strings, Neem Wood (No. 487)
    $135.00

Questions we get asked

What is an ektara actually used for?
A rhythmic drone under solo devotional singing. You pluck the pulse and sing above it, as Baul singers have always done.
Is this the Punjabi tumbi?
Close cousin. The tumbi is a single string instrument voiced higher and sharper, the twang of bhangra. Check each listing for which style you are looking at.
Is it hard to tune?
One peg, one string. Tune to your Sa by ear or a phone tuner in seconds. The easiest entry into Indian strings that exists.