How the ektara, an ancient one-stringed instrument made from coconut, is made in India
In Indian villages, the ektara, a traditional single-string instrument used to accompany folk songs and ballads, is still handcrafted. Its core is a dried coconut, from which craftsmen scoop out the flesh and polish the interior to a high shine.
A thin bamboo stick is attached to the shell, serving as a neck, and a single metal string is strung on top. Tuning takes only a few minutes, but achieving the correct sound requires experience. The simple design of the ektara has resonated for centuries in the hands of wandering singers, who used it to convey stories and prayers. In the villages of West Bengal and Bihar, the craft is still passed down from generation to generation, and coconut remains the ideal material—light, durable, and resonant.
