The 'tumbi', a folk instrument played during Bhangra, belongs to which state?

Explanation

The tumbi (also spelt toombi) is a traditional folk instrument of Punjab. Its high-pitched, bright sound is one of the most recognisable sounds of Punjabi folk music and of Bhangra.

The tumbi is a single-stringed plucked instrument. It has a small resonator, traditionally made from a dried gourd or wood and covered with skin, attached to a long wooden or bamboo stick. A single metal string is stretched over the resonator and along the stick. The player holds the tumbi in one hand and plucks the string with a finger of the other hand, producing short, rapid, rhythmic notes. Although it has only one string, skilled players can play lively tunes and rhythms on it.

The tumbi was made famous by the legendary Punjabi folk singer Lal Chand Yamla Jatt (1914-1991), who is closely associated with the instrument and is often shown holding it. Many later Punjabi singers, such as Kuldeep Manak and Gurdas Maan, used the tumbi in their music, and it is widely used in modern Bhangra and Punjabi pop music.

Bhangra is the energetic folk dance of Punjab, performed traditionally by men to celebrate the harvest, especially during the festival of Baisakhi. The dancers perform vigorous jumps, kicks and lifts to the powerful beat of the dhol, a large double-headed drum. Other folk instruments of Punjab include the dhol, the algoza (double flute), the chimta (fire tongs with jingles), the sarangi and the dhad (small drum used by the dhadi singers). Giddha is the folk dance of Punjabi women.

Similar single-stringed instruments are found in other parts of India, such as the ektara of the Bauls of Bengal.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Haryana is known for folk forms such as the Ragini and the Saang.
• ✗Rajasthan is known for instruments such as the kamaicha and the sindhi sarangi.
• ✗Himachal Pradesh is known for dances such as the Nati.