Handcrafted Tanpuras and Tanpuris from Miraj
I am Naeem, the 6th generation of my family crafting these instruments in Miraj. Whether you need a concert-grade gourd tanpura or a travel-friendly wooden tanpuri, I build each one to give you that perfect, steady drone.
This is a beautiful teakwood tanpura I crafted. You can see the detailed floral inlay on the front and my name written on the neck. It is built for a deep and steady drone.
Namaste, this is a C-sharp male tanpura in the Hemraj design pattern, made here in Miraj. It has a deep, resonant sound that provides a perfect base for classical vocalists.
This is a C-sharp male tanpura with full floral decoration. The sound is rich and meditative, providing a perfect drone for a male vocalist's practice and performance.
A male tanpura made from high-quality teakwood. The natural grain of the wood is visible, and the simple floral inlay adds a touch of elegance.
This is a flat wooden female tanpuri. Because it is made of wood instead of a gourd, it is very sturdy and has a bright, clear tone that is excellent for accompanying female vocalists.
A C-sharp tanpuri with beautiful, colorful bird and flower designs. We can create any custom design you want, making the instrument truly personal to you.
This is a flat wooden female tanpura in the Manu Shrivastava style, with very fine and detailed penwork decoration. It is as much a piece of art as it is a musical instrument.
A simple and elegant Miraj tanpuri. These smaller instruments are perfect for accompanying instrumentalists or for vocalists who prefer a more compact drone instrument.
This video shows a Miraj tanpura and a travel tanpura that comes in a case. The travel version is very convenient for musicians who are always on the move.
An antique design tanpura made for a special client. The dark wood and heart-shaped inlay give it a very old-world, classic look.
About Tanpuras and Tanpuris
Choosing between a traditional gourd tanpura and a flat-back wooden tanpuri comes down to your needs. If you are a traveling musician or need a compact instrument for daily practice, my wooden Sri Saraswati tanpuris offer a clear, steady sound in a sturdy frame. If you want the deep, meditative resonance of a traditional concert instrument, I select seasoned Pandharpur gourd for each of my male and female tanpuras to ensure the richest overtones.
Finding Your Perfect Drone
A tanpura is not just an instrument; it is the foundation of your music. When you approach me for an instrument, we start with your vocal range. I hand-file the bone bridge to create the precise jawari (buzz) you need, whether you prefer an open, ringing sound or a more closed, soft tone.
Construction and Materials
I primarily use seasoned Teakwood and Tunwood because they offer the structural stability required for the tension of the strings. My traditional gourd models are made from pumpkins sourced from the banks of the Krishna river in Pandharpur, which I believe gives them a natural, warm resonance that machine-made instruments cannot replicate. For those who need reliability on the road, my flat-back wooden models provide a robust alternative that holds its tuning exceptionally well, even after long flights or train journeys.
Customization
Every musician has a specific requirement for their drone. Whether you need a C-sharp male tanpura for a deep vocal base or a higher-pitched female tanpuri for detailed practice, I can customize the configuration. We can discuss the aesthetics as well—from simple natural wood finishes that highlight the grain, to intricate floral pen-work or inlay designs. My goal is to build an instrument that you feel connected to every time you sit down to practice.
Care and Setup
Each instrument I ship comes packed securely in a flight-safe fiber case. I include spare German Roslau strings and wire Mizrabs so you are ready to play the moment your package arrives. If you ever face issues with the jawari or need a crack repair, I am here to help restore your instrument to its original state.
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