Constructing a Tanpura 3
The first connection to be made is that of the tumba and the gullu. The tumba is moistened and left overnight and is subsequently cut according to its desired size. The wood of the gullu should be tight grained for strength as this, when the neck is also connected, is the most critical joint in the construction of the tanpura. One can imagine the tension on this part of the construction when the instrument is tuned and ready to be played. The two are glued together and also nailed with hand made bamboo nails which apparently carry the resonance better than their metal counterparts.
