An Indian stringed instrument (called tanpura in the North and tambura in the South) which is used to provide a tonic reference and harmonic drone.

It consists of a long, unfretted neck which has between 4 and 6 tuning pegs (depending on the number of strings) inserted into the upper end and a bowl-shaped resonator at the lower end which vibrates and amplifies the sound. The bowl is usually made of wood (mostly jackwood) in the South and out of a hollowed out gourd in the North. In the center of this bowl lies a broad, grooved bridge made of bone (usually deer antler) or ivory. The bridge is slightly curved, not only to provide a buzzing sound (as the strings are plucked), but also to generate various harmonics that enhance the tonal quality of the instrument.

Just below the pegs is a thin plate perpendicular to the neck which has holes for the strings to pass through. Below this is another narrow, grooved plate over which the strings next pass and then run along the entire length of the neck over the main bridge and are finally attached to the bottom of the bowl. Between this attachment and the main bridge, each string has a bead, which is used for finer tuning by moving it up or down.

Also fine silk threads called 'jiva' are used between the bridge and the strings. By positioning these at the right spot, each string 'rings' and this enhances the tonal effect.

The strings are tuned in a manner that emphasises the tonic and the dominant notes of the raga. The player plucks the strings one at a time, in a steady, repetitive, almost orderly manner, using the index and middle fingers.