View source for Tungna

{{Short description|Nepali Folk instrument}}
{{Infobox Instrument
|name= Tungana
|names=*Tungna
*sgra-snyan (Tibet)<ref name=Beede/>
|image= Nepalese instrument.jpg
|image_size =
|image_capt = Tungana or Tungna
|classification= [[String instrument]] ([[Plucked string instrument|plucked]])
| hornbostel_sachs = [[List of musical instruments by Hornbostel-Sachs number: 321.322|321.322]] (necked box lute)
| hornbostel_sachs_desc = [[Chordophone]]
| developed = Nepal and Bhutan
|range=
|related=
*[[Arbajo]]
*[[Dotara]]
*[[Dranyen]]
*[[Rubab (instrument)|Kabuli rubab]]
*[[Pamiri rubab]]
*[[Sarod]]
*[[Seni rebab]]
|articles=
}}
The '''Tungna''' ([[Nepali language|Nepali]]: टुङ्ना) is a [[plucked string instrument]] from the Northern Himalayan region: [[Nepal]], [[Tibet]], [[Sikkim]] and [[Bhutan]].<ref name=Beede>{{cite web |title= Images from The Beede Gallery Lute (Tungna), Nepal, 19th Century|url= http://collections.nmmusd.org/Tibet/2682/LuteNepal.html}}</ref> It is made from a single piece of carved [[wood]]. The front hollow body (which serves as the [[Sound box|sound-box]]) is covered with stretched animal skin on which the '[[Bridge (instrument)|bridge]]' sits.<ref name="Śarmā1992">{{cite book|author=Nagendra Śarmā|title=Secrets of Shangri-La: an enquiry into the lore, legend and culture of Nepal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o7ffAAAAMAAJ|accessdate=24 March 2012|year=1992|publisher=Nirala Publications|page=51}}</ref> The Tungna has four strings which is anchored to the keys and body at both ends and the 'bridge' acts as a cantilever thus maintaining the tension of the strings.
It is mostly played by the people in the Himalayan Kingdom of [[Nepal]] mainly by the Tamang, Gurung and Sherpa people during auspicious occasions, gatherings and festivals. The musicians play the Tungna and sing songs, which they compose themselves especially to welcome the New Year or during the harvest season. Most households of this mountain region have at least one Tungna in their house.
== See also ==
{{multiple image|caption_align=center
|header_align=center
|header=Similar historical instruments
| align = right
| image1 = 13th century rubab from ceramic plate, Rayy ( Iran ) ca 1200 CE.jpg
| width1 = 140
| alt1 = Iranian rubab image on ceramic plate
| caption1 = Iranian style rubab from the 13th century C.E., found in Rayy (near Tehran, Iran).
|image2 = Man playing Lyre from Yusufzai Gandhara.jpg
| width2 = 116
| alt2 = Siddhartha playing the lute, sculpture
| caption2 =[[Kushan Empire]], 1st to 3rd century. Lute or vina, from the [[Yusufzai]] district near [[Peshawar]]. [[Greco-Buddhist art|Greco Buddhist]] ([[Gandhara]] School). Resembles [[rubab (instrument)|rubab]], [[sarod]] and tungna.
|image3 = Mongolian lute, circa 1279-1368, Tomb of Wang Qing.jpg
|width3 = 140
|alt3= Painting of rubab found in Mongolian grave in China
|caption3=Mongolian lute, circa 1297, Tomb of Wang Qing, China
}}
*[[Navneet Aditya Waiba]]
*[[Music of Nepal]]
*[[Dramyin]]
*[[Arbajo]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://kutumbaband.com/instruments.html ''Kutumba Instruments'']
*[http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/central_asia.htm ''Tungana''] at Atlas of Plucked String Instruments
*[http://sanza.skynetblogs.be/post/5442990/art-tribal-de-lhimalaya--musique-luth-sgra-sn Art tribal de l'Himalaya] at Sanza.Skynetblogs.be {{in lang|fr}}
{{Musical instruments of Nepal}}
[[Category:Stringed instruments of Nepal]]
[[Category:String instruments]]
[[Category:Drumhead lutes]]
[[Category:Tamang culture]]
{{Lute-stub}}
{{Nepal-music-stub}}