An interesting instrument has been introduced by our partner Monoj Kumar Sardar from Calcutta: The Sur Tanpura is a combination of swarmandal and tanpura. It is a perfect accompaniment for all kinds of modal music as well as for music therapy and meditation. The Sur Tanpura has 15 strings of different length, which can be tuned to a simple scale - just like a harp or swarmandal. Gently touching up or down across these strings with the fingers produces a silvery cascade of sound.
Additionally the Sur Tanpura has a tanpura bridge with four wound strings running across, allowing for a round and powerful drone sound. The diapason of the tanpura strings is 65 cm, which makes them sound best tuned around C to D. Tuning is made easy by guitar-type mechanics for each string. Its compact, flat box-shape makes the Sur Tanpura sturdy and easy to carry. The instrument comes with a carry bag, which protects it against dirt and humidity and allows for easy transport with just one hand.
This instrument could also be called Tanmandel or Swarsangam.
Measurements: Length: 86 cm, width: 25 cm, depth: 5 cm, weight: 2,4 kg.
Tuning:
The Sur Tanpura can be tuned to key note C. The 4 thick wound tanpura strings will sound in the following notes: C c c G.
The 15 playing strings of the Swarmandal can have different tunings:
- C major: E F G A B c d e f g a b c' d' e'
- C minor: D# F G G# B c d d# f g g# b c' d' d#'
- C major pentatonic: E G A c c d e e g g a c' c' d' e'
- C minor pentatonic: D# G G A# c c d# f g g a# c' c' d#' d#'
- Raga Bhupali Todi: D# G G# c c c# d# g g g# c' c' c#' d#'
- Raga Shivaranjani: D# G G A c c d d# g g a c' c' d' d#'
- Raga Bhairagi: F G G# c c c# f g g g# c' c' c#' f'
Yves 'Jivan' Spapen with his Sur Tampura
more about Yves on www.kalyanaspirit.com
