Tanbur

The Tanbur is a kind of string instruments and the ancient name of a traditional Iranian musical instrument, the religious instrument of Yarsanism (Ahl-e Haqq rituals) in western Iran.

Tanbur is from the family of Dutar, the string instruments. Also, it is the ancient name of an Old Iranian musical instrument, the religious instrument of Yarsanism (Ahl-e Haqq rituals) in western Iran. Tanbur is known as sacred musical instruments which is played with fingers. This musical instrument is common in Kermanshah, Goran, Sahneh, and some part of the Lorestan Province.

• Features

  Tanbur is a long-necked, string instruments which has a narrow pear-shaped body. It is usually made of mulberry wood. Also, Tanbur has a length of 70-80 centimeters with two strings. However, during the last decades, it is being played with three strings. This musical instrument has four-tone without any microtones.
   

• Usage of Tanbur

  Tanbur is playing in religious ceremonies with other musical instruments. This instrument is using in Yarsanism pantheons. The prominent players of Tanbur in the last 100 years ago are as follows:
  • Goran region: Ali Akbar Moradi, and Taher Yarweissi.
  • Dinavar region: Nur Ali Elahi, Amir Hayati, Seyed Khalil Alinezhad, Ramin Kakavand, Seyed Arash Shahriari, and Farid Elhami.
  • Kermanshah region: Amrollah Shah Ebrahimi, Keikhosrow Pournazeri, Alireza Feyz Bashipoor, and Sohrab Pournazeri.

To get familiar with the construction process of Tanbur, click the bottom.

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