The use of the ektara in contemporary music: In Bangra music the Ektara is accompanied by vocals and the dhol. If the ektara has two strings attached from bottom to top; sometimes the ektara is referred to as "dotara".
Name: Ektara, Gopiyantra or Gopichand.
Type: Plucked > Monophone > Chordophone.
Region: India > South Asia
Source: Ian MacKenzie, India, my specimen is from Rajasthan.
Description: The ektara is a single-stringed chordophone or "monophone". In which during play is plucked giving a "pluck-gong-pluck-gong-pluck-gong" type sound oscillating between the two different pitches. The Ektara is considered one of the ancient stringed instruments of Eastern India similar instruments though are found through various regions with in India. It is believed that the ektara originated from wandering minstrels and bards.
Traditionally the ektara are used in Kirtan chanting, which is a practice of Hindu devotional singing. The divine names of deities and mantras are called out in an ecstatic call and response during the performance. The ektara is also used by Sadhu's who are the "wandering holy men" through out India. Also the Sufi tradition employs the ektara is used to accompany the Sufi chanting and the ektara is also used by the Bauls of Bengal.
Foot Note: My specimen of ektara is from Rajasthan.
The Variations of the Ektara: A two stringed ektara is sometimes found and referred to as a “dotara” this is not to be confused with the Indian two stringed lute "Dotara". The ektara is often tuned to the musician’s vocal range where they figure out the bass-note in which works for them. Also the ektara is often played by Sadhu's or who are the (holy saints). And also employed in Sufi chanting along, being also employed by the Bauls of India too. In North India 20 different kinds or varieties of ektara do exist.
Playing the Ektara: When a musician performs with the ektara`. The musician than plays the instrument by holding the ektara in the right or left hand and squeeze the two bamboo strips during the plucking of the string. In which allows the compression and or tension during the performance of the ektara. in which gives the ektara its particular sound.
Factoids: Since the 1970s the ektara has been made popular in North America in which the ektara was introduced by devotional Kirtan wallas. One of the notable Kirtan wallah's was the legendary Western sadhu Bagavan Das who is the author of "Her Now, Are You"? Bhagavan Das he is also a famous Kirtan recording artist who plays the ektara.
The Anatomy of the Ektara: Originally the ektara would have a flexable bottom cut from animal hide. Whilst many ektara may also have flexable bottoms made from synthetic materials. The bottom bends at the same time when the two support shafts are bent with the left hand during the performance with the ektara. This mechanical action is responsable for the unique "twang" sound the ektara has.
The "sound body" is carved from a larger piece of bamboo or other wooden material. And the shafts along with tuning pegs are made from bamboo along with the tuning peg, are made from bamboo.
The animal hide or synethic material is attached to the bottom of the body, the main string is strung when stringing through the center of the animal hide
and the string is attached to the single tuning peg.