The traditional folk music of the Sagar region is gaining nationwide attention once again. The movie Hanuman Ansh, which is deeply rooted in the life and spiritual journey of Baba Neem Karoli, has been breaking numerous box office records. Beyond the commercial success, the artists and vocalists associated with this project are receiving immense appreciation from audiences. The most popular song from the film, titled 'Maine tere hi bharose naiya jeevan mein dar dai', has turned into a massive viral hit on social media platforms. Sunil Lodhi, the talented vocalist behind this hit track, has emerged as a social media sensation, with his videos trending extensively on Instagram reels and other online platforms. Alongside his viral success, his constant companion, a traditional stringed instrument called the Tambura, has also caught the public eye.
A Melodious Instrument Crafted from Simple Natural Materials
In all his viral performances and digital videos, Sunil Lodhi is seen tuning his vocals to the rhythmic resonance of the Tambura. Interestingly, this traditional instrument does not require any expensive metals or costly modern components. Its creation relies solely on age-old craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge. Damodar Agnihotri, who has dedicated the past 35 years of his life to documenting and preserving the folk culture of Bundelkhand, shares valuable insights into these musical traditions. He states that the region of Bundelkhand boasts a rich history of folk instruments used in traditional songs and devotional music. He is personally aware of over 50 unique traditional instruments, and his private museum currently houses 35 different types of authentic Bundeli musical devices. Among these, the Tambura stands out as a unique single-string instrument. It is exceptionally lightweight and highly portable, making it easy for traveling folk singers to carry around, though its organic construction demands careful handling and regular maintenance.
The Art of Making Tambura from the Pumpkin-Like Tuma Fruit
Agnihotri explains the step-by-step process of crafting this traditional instrument using a local pumpkin-like fruit known as Tuma. First, the harvested Tuma fruit is kept out in the sun to dry completely until its outer skin hardens into a tough, woody shell. After drying, a specific upper portion of the fruit is carefully cut off. The maker then cleans the interior, removing all the inner pulp and seeds, leaving behind a hollow organic shell.
To assemble the instrument, two precise holes are made in this hollow shell, through which a three-to-four-foot-long thin bamboo stick is inserted. At the topmost point of this bamboo shaft, a small wooden tuning peg, locally called a khunti, is fixed. On the other end, the open, cut section of the dried Tuma shell is tightly covered with leather. A thin metal wire is then stretched from the leather-covered base all the way to the wooden tuning peg on the bamboo stick. To ensure the proper acoustic resonance, this wire must remain approximately one inch away from the surface of the fruit shell. To maintain this essential gap, craftsmen place a small stone or piece of wood beneath the wire to act as a bridge. When the player plucks this wire with their fingers, it generates the distinctive hum of the Tambura, which requires steady practice to master.
A Historic Revival of a Near-Extinct Cultural Symbol
According to Agnihotri, the number of artisans who knew how to make the Tambura had declined drastically over the years, pushing this traditional instrument to the verge of extinction. However, the successful release of the movie Hanuman Ansh and the widespread popularity of Sunil Lodhi's performances have sparked a massive revival of interest in the instrument. The traditional music of Bundelkhand is now getting national exposure, bringing immense pride to the local community and preserving a vital piece of India's cultural heritage.
