Best Ektara & Best Ektara Brands
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ektara—does the name ring a bell? Hardly would it if you are not conversant with the very best of traditional strings instruments from ancient Asia down to North Africa.
The Ektara or Iktara (as it is sometimes called) is a one-string miniature musical instrument that is associated with a traditional musical rendition in places like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indian, Egypt, and a few other places.
The Ektara is regularly used among wandering minstrels and bard from Indian. The exclusive thing about this instrument is that, unlike other string instruments, you only need one hand to play it.
But hey, don’t be fooled by the one-string design, as you can easily manipulate it to give you different types of tones. Now, you might ask; how do I do that? Well, by applying pressure to different areas of the single string at the neck, you will be able to create different sounds as well.
What are the Best Ektaras to Buy?
2) Banjira Ektara Tenor
- Lightweight
- Simple Design
- Stylish and user-friendly frame
- Solid handcrafted quality
1) Banjira Deluxe Tenor Dotara
- Handcrafted Quality
- Value Priced
- Tightly-stretched goatskin soundboard
- Pumpkin gourd design
3) Tumbi Toombi – Ektara
- Exquisite design
- Compact and comfortable to handle
- Solid and durable
- Great Sound Quality
Another reason why this instrument is getting closer attention these days is that it is straightforward to play. In fact, anyone can play—adult or child. It allows you to know the right way to locate tones precisely along a single string design. The sound of the Ektara is great because everything about the construction is natural and highly acoustic.
For people who love to play a less complicated string instrument as a way of mastering the feel of others, the Ektara is a welcome starting point.
So get yours and manipulate your way around to discover how to get the precise tones. You will need that skill in playing other string instruments.
6 Best Ektara Reviews and the Best Ektara Brands
1) Banjira Deluxe Tenor Dotara
The Banjira Deluxe Dotara is a tenor Ektara, which is generally larger than their soprano counterparts. This one also features a beautiful, handcrafted design, with portability being the real deal.
One thing that set this model apart from the first reviewed above is that it comes with two strings. You can make each or both of the two strings to provide a variety of tones by putting pressure at various points across the neck area.
Like its nature, the Banjira Deluxe is fun to play, and thanks to its simple design, all lovers of string instruments can find pleasure in the sound this one produces.
The Deluxe Ektara was crafted in the state of Maharashtra and the body weighs 1.12 ounces, which is ideal for anyone to hold. It features a 14 x 14 x 23 inches in dimensions, making it super portable for everyday travel.
The Banjira also features a tightly-stretched goatskin soundboard that goes over an opening cut in the body with its pumpkin gourd design. The neck features a bamboo shaft, with its one string stretching from the hook, over the bridge and down to the tuning peg.
Everything about this Ektara sound acoustically amazing.
2) Banjira Ektara Tenor
The Banjira Ektara is one of the reasons why these models of string instruments are highly respected and cherished among people that love traditional music.
The Banjira is highly lightweight, considering that it has just 4 pounds in weight. This means you can conveniently hold it upright and have a firm grip of the neck with a fraction of the resonator, and you can pluck the string using your index finger. It is so simple in design that if you are looking forward to enjoying a string instrument, this might be just one of them.
Another thing that makes this model comfortable to play is the body dimensions. At 35 x 12 x 12, the Banjira offers the most stylish and user-friendly frame for any player to feel and enjoy.
Solid handcrafted quality further makes the instrument durable and acoustically beautiful. You can customize the string to give you a range of different tones. Just apply pressure at various points across the neck, and you get what you want.
Being that it is a tenor Ektara, it has a tone that is lower than its soprano counterparts. But, this model is more significant as well.
3) Tumbi Toombi – Ektara, Ek Tara, Drone Instrument
The Tumbi Toombi is another beautifully looking Ektara with exquisite design. As usual, the ektara boasts a single main string, but don’t be fooled by that because you can manipulate it to get different tones by applying pressure to the neck.
All ektaras are expected to be compact and comfortable to handle, and this model didn’t disappoint either. The Tumbi Toombi features a 20 to 21 inches in full size, but don’t forget that sizes vary approximately. It has a bright assorted color that makes it stand out from the crowd.
Featuring an Indian wood/bel, the Tumbi Toombi is solid and durable. It weighs just 1.1 pound, which is good for a travelling musician. For people who love the traditional folklore singing, this is one instrument you can use to demonstrate your playing skills.
Everything about this Tumbi Toombi is very simple. It has a nice sound, and the ease of carrying and playing it makes it extremely fun to have. Extra strings are included to keep you playing when the original one dies.
4) Maharaja Tumbi—Ik Taara Tun Wood
Coming from India with love and quality as its flagship is the Maharaja Tumbi Ektara. The design of this Ektara gives it the quality that is suitable for a stage or concert performance.
Of course, it comes with a single string, but you can easily manipulate it to give you distinct sound across the neck spectrum.
This Ektara or Tumba, as it is also called, features the best Tun wood handcrafted design that resonates greatly while on a concert show.
The length of this Tumbi ranges 19 to 21 inches and the height measures 3 to 4 inches in size, which is ideal for anyone that loves playing this type of string instrument. The width has the same size range with the height—all of which combines to provide a user-friendly and convenient option for any Ektara player.
We like the fact that this model offers 2 extra strings as additional accessories. So if your first string dies a natural death, you can replace it with one of the spares without having to pay an extra dime for it.
The company also has a warranty policy in place for such a nice looking black Tumbi/Ektara instrument.
5) IMI Wooden Playing Iktara 100% Pure Handmade
When you are looking for one of the best Indian musical & miniature instruments online, the Ektara category is one place to look, and the IMI Iktara is one typical example of such instruments.
The IMI Iktara features a 100% pure handcrafted design that incorporates the best of Mango wood. This wooden design makes it super reliable and durable as such that it can withstand extensive use.
The color of this Iktara is brown while the soundboard area features a milky/white goatskin color design. The body frame has a 3.9 x 3.1 x 20.1 inches in dimensions that showcases the rich Indian historical musical culture. It is portable and compact for any Tumbi loving player to play since it weighs just 9.6 ounces.
For an instrument that is created by a national award winner, the quality is never in doubt. If you are looking to learn and have a feel of a simple string instrument, this is the right one to get. The one string design will enable you to learn and master tone variation and tone creation.
Do not forget that this can also pass as a lovely gift for a loved one or a decorative piece in the office.
6) Ektara Single String Indian Folk Musical Instrument
Okay. We are rounding up with another reliable Ektarat that shares the same philosophy in design with the rest of its predecessors in the same line of musical instrument category.
Made of one string, this Ektarat offers a convenient way to demonstrate your creative tone skills. You can pressurize the string at a different area to get a wholly different and desired tone.
The instrument is well crafted, with exceptional qualities from the best artisans in Uttar Pradesh. While the body features a durable gourd wood design, the goatskin construction of the soundboard area makes this instrument to excel in an acoustic rendition that defines the very best in simplicity.
Yes, like a host of others, it is very compact, lightweight, at 9.1 ounces, and at 21 x 4 x 4 inches in dimensions; playability becomes more attainable.
Do you like sitting around a fire in the dead of night and playing some of the old traditional folklore? Here is the instrument that can make your day a memorable one.
Thanks to its acoustic and straightforward design, this Ektara model is the best way to practice and enjoy how to play a string instrument.
Choosing the Best Ektaras
All string instruments offer musicians or enthusiasts the best way to master fingering techniques. However, there is only one string instrument that is less complicated in that regard, and that is the Ektara.
With an Ektara, you can go places in learning how to locate tones precisely and create your type of sound as well.
2) Banjira Ektara Tenor
- Lightweight
- Simple Design
- Stylish and user-friendly frame
- Solid handcrafted quality
1) Banjira Deluxe Tenor Dotara
- Handcrafted Quality
- Value Priced
- Tightly-stretched goatskin soundboard
- Pumpkin gourd design
3) Tumbi Toombi – Ektara
- Exquisite design
- Compact and comfortable to handle
- Solid and durable
- Great Sound Quality
Ektaras are generally easy to play, lightweight, compact and portable. They have a nice sound, and their rendition is unbelievably top-notch.
Everyone can play them, and that include kids. Moreover, they pass well as special gifts to loved ones, and you can use them as additions to your decoration or build-up of musical instruments.
Isn’t that wonderful?