gopichang

Gopichand / Gopiyantra / Ektara - ø 11.5 cm H: about 64.5 cm. Here is an amazing instrument that comes from India. It consists of a circular shaped box with a skin stretched at its base. On each side, two large portions of a bamboo stem stand facing each other and meet on either side of a tube formed by the complete stem of bamboo with a diameter of approximately 3 cm. This is the head of the instrument that receives a peg. The single metal string (ektara means 1 string) is attached to the base of the instrument in the center of the skin and is stretched with the help of the peg. This instrument is played by moving back and forth with one finger while varying the pitch of the note from time to time by squeezing the two bamboo stems, which makes a wah wah effect. It is thus an instrument whose function is to make resound a fundamental note on which one will be able to sing as with a tampoura or a shruti box. To understand the origin of this instrument, we must know that many adivasi, wandering monks, fools of God have furrowed India forever by singing the name of God without having any material possesion. This instrument allowed them to have at the same time a fundamental note on which to support their song and a rhythmic produced by the more or less high speed and regularity with which the finger activates the string. Ideal instrument for repetitive singing, mantra, trance and intuitive music.