The Tokari (Assamese: টোকাৰী) is a stringed instrument played with the fingertips.[1][2] The Tokari is the most widely used and popular stringed instruments in different parts of Assam.[3] It is an ancient folk instrument of Assam. The instrument is usually made by covering a shell of Mango or Cham wood with the skin of a goat.[4][5] It has many similarities to the "Dotara",[6] another such folk instrument prevalent in southern Assam. The Tokari is slightly larger and wider than the Dotora. It also has many similarities to the Ruan, a Chinese musical instrument.[6]

Tokari
A Singer playing 'Tokari'
String instrument
Classification
Related instruments

Etymology

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It is believed that the name Tokari derives from the Assamese word "tokar" (Assamese: টোকৰ), meaning the sound produced by knocking.[6]

Uses

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Tokari is usually played with Tokari geet. A tokari can be also played with Dihanaam, Deh Bichar Geet, Bairagi geet, Phul Kowar aru Mani Konwaror geet, Maniram Dewanor geet, Assamese religious songs, Jikir and Jari etc.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "TOKARI". Indian Culture Portal. Retrieved 21 Feb 2023.
  2. ^ "টোকাৰী". Xobdo.org. Retrieved 21 Feb 2023.
  3. ^ Gogoi Dr Leela. Oxomiya Lok-xahityor ruprekha (in Assamese) (1st ed.). pp. 91–96.
  4. ^ "টোকাৰী" (in Assamese). Vikaspedia. Retrieved 21 Feb 2023.
  5. ^ "Tokari". Anvesha.co.in. Archived from the original on 2016-05-27.
  6. ^ a b c Dilip Ranjan Barthakur (2003). The Music And Musical Instruments Of North Eastern India. Mittal Publications. pp. 131–. ISBN 978-81-7099-881-5.
  7. ^ Dharmeswar Boruah (2005). অসমৰ বাদ্যযন্ত্ৰ:টোকাৰী. Beena Mondir. p. 44.