Ektara

3D Model

Ektara literally ‘one-string’, also called actara, iktar, ektar, yaktaro, gopichand, gopichant, golki is a one-stringed musical instrument used in the traditional music of South Asia, the ektara was a regular string instrument of wandering bards and minstrels from India and is plucked with one finger. The ektara is a drone lute consisting of a gourd resonator covered with skin, through which a bamboo neck is inserted. It is used in parts of India and Nepal today by Yogis and wandering holy men to accompany their singing and prayers. In Nepal, the instrument accompanies the singing of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Three different instruments used in modern India and not necessarily related have all been called Ektara. One form resembles a lute.