Tokari

{{Short description|Stringed musical instrument}} {{Infobox Instrument |name= Tokari |image=File:Singer playing 'Tokari'.jpg |caption=A Singer playing 'Tokari' |background=string |classification=* String instruments |range= |related= *Dotora *Sitar *Guitar }} The '''Tokari''' (Assamese: টোকাৰী) is a stringed instrument played with the fingertips.<ref>{{cite web|title=TOKARI |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/musical-instruments/tat-vadya/tokari|accessdate=21 Feb 2023|publisher=Indian Culture Portal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=টোকাৰী |url=https://www.xobdo.org/dic/tokari|accessdate=21 Feb 2023|website=Xobdo.org}}</ref> The Tokari is the most widely used and popular stringed instruments in different parts of Assam.<ref>{{cite book|author=Gogoi Dr Leela|title=Oxomiya Lok-xahityor ruprekha|edition=1st|pages=91–96|language=Assamese|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.452090/mode/1up}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=টোকাৰী |url=https://as.vikaspedia.in/education/9859b89ae9f0-9b89829b89cd9959c39a49bf/9859b89ae9f0-9ac9be9a69cd9af-9af9a89cd9a49cd9f0/99f9959be9f09c0|accessdate=21 Feb 2023|publisher=Vikaspedia|language=Assamese}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anvesha.co.in/tokari_en.htm |title=Tokari |publisher=Anvesha.co.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527231544/http://www.anvesha.co.in/tokari_en.htm |archive-date=2016-05-27 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> It has many similarities to the "Dotara",<ref name="Barthakur2003">{{cite book|author=Dilip Ranjan Barthakur|title=The Music And Musical Instruments Of North Eastern India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oP4vH-4oSEcC&dq=tokari+instrument&pg=PA131|year=2003|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-881-5|pages=131–}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Barthakur2003"/>

==Etymology== It is believed that the name ''Tokari'' derives from the Assamese word "tokar" (Assamese: টোকৰ), meaning the sound produced by knocking.<ref name="Barthakur2003"/>

==Uses== 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.<ref name="anveshatokari">{{cite book |title=অসমৰ বাদ্যযন্ত্ৰ:টোকাৰী | publisher=Beena Mondir | author=Dharmeswar Boruah | year=2005 | pages=44}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Music of Assam Category:Indian musical instruments