Tumbi
Encyclopedia
The Tumbi or Toombi is a traditional North Indian instrument from Punjab
. The tumbi was invented and popularized by the renowned folk-singer of Punjab
"Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
". In the 1960s, 70s and 80s most of the Punjabi
singers used the Tumbi. The most popular were Kuldeep Manak, Mohammed Sadiq, Amar Singh Chamkila
and Kartar Ramla.
The high pitched, single string
plucking instrument is associated with folk music
of Punjab and presently very popular in Western Bhangra music.
Design=
The instrument is made of a wooden stick mounted with a toomba or wooden resonator covered with skin. A metallic string is passed on a resonator over a bridge and tied to the key at the end of the stick. The string is struck with the continuous flick and retraction of the forefinger.
In Western music=
Get your freak on by Timbaland
and Missy Elliott
saw the introduction of the distinct tumbi sound into the popular mainstream music scene.
Mundian Ton Bach Ke Rahin (Beware of Boys)
from Panjabi MC
, a huge hit in the UK charts
, is perhaps the most widely-known example of the use of tumbi in popular western music
.
The tumbi was also featured in the hit song "20 Inch" by Master P feat: Jamaican reggae artist Cutty Ranks
and rap artist Kobra Khan. The tumbi played by Toronto, Ontario, Canadian native Shawn Ramta (grandson of the famous Punjabi folk singer, Hazara Singh Ramta).
Famous Tumbi players=
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
. The tumbi was invented and popularized by the renowned folk-singer of Punjab
Punjab (India)
Punjab ) is a state in the northwest of the Republic of India, forming part of the larger Punjab region. The state is bordered by the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh to the east, Haryana to the south and southeast and Rajasthan to the southwest as well as the Pakistani province of Punjab to the...
"Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
Lal Chand Yamla Jatt
Lal Chand Yamla Jat / Jatt was a renowned folk singer from The Punjab colloquially known was "Ustad Ji". Yamla Jatt was widely revered as "ustad" among his singer contemporaries and as "yamla jatt" by his audience. His trademark was his soft strumming of tumbi and his turban tying style known...
". In the 1960s, 70s and 80s most of the Punjabi
Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by inhabitants of the historical Punjab region . For Sikhs, the Punjabi language stands as the official language in which all ceremonies take place. In Pakistan, Punjabi is the most widely spoken language...
singers used the Tumbi. The most popular were Kuldeep Manak, Mohammed Sadiq, Amar Singh Chamkila
Amar Singh Chamkila
Amar Singh Chamkila was a controversial Punjabi singer, songwriter, and musician. His detractors lamented the vulgarity in his songs while his fans relished their sensual appeal. He was also among the major Punjabi live stage performers or Akhara singers...
and Kartar Ramla.
The high pitched, single string
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
plucking instrument is associated with folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
of Punjab and presently very popular in Western Bhangra music.
Design=
The instrument is made of a wooden stick mounted with a toomba or wooden resonator covered with skin. A metallic string is passed on a resonator over a bridge and tied to the key at the end of the stick. The string is struck with the continuous flick and retraction of the forefinger.
In Western music=
Get your freak on by Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
and Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
saw the introduction of the distinct tumbi sound into the popular mainstream music scene.
Mundian Ton Bach Ke Rahin (Beware of Boys)
Mundian To Bach Ke
"Mundian To Bach Ke" , also titled "Beware of the Boys ", is a bhangra song performed by Punjabi artist Labh Janjua and remixed by Panjabi MC in 2002...
from Panjabi MC
Panjabi MC
Rajinder Singh Rai , better known by his stage name Panjabi MC is a British Indian musician.-Career:...
, a huge hit in the UK charts
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, is perhaps the most widely-known example of the use of tumbi in popular western music
Western music
Western music may refer to:* Classical music, a genre of art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music from the 10th century onward...
.
The tumbi was also featured in the hit song "20 Inch" by Master P feat: Jamaican reggae artist Cutty Ranks
Cutty Ranks
Philip Thomas, , better known as Cutty Ranks is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.-Biography:Thomas was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of 14 with the Gemini sound system, before moving on to work with Tony Rebel's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots,...
and rap artist Kobra Khan. The tumbi played by Toronto, Ontario, Canadian native Shawn Ramta (grandson of the famous Punjabi folk singer, Hazara Singh Ramta).
Famous Tumbi players=
- Lal Chand Yamla JattLal Chand Yamla JattLal Chand Yamla Jat / Jatt was a renowned folk singer from The Punjab colloquially known was "Ustad Ji". Yamla Jatt was widely revered as "ustad" among his singer contemporaries and as "yamla jatt" by his audience. His trademark was his soft strumming of tumbi and his turban tying style known...
(investor) - Mohammed Sadiq
- Kuldeep Manak
- Didar SandhuDidar SandhuDidar Singh Sandhu was a Punjabi singer & songwriter.-Early years:Didar Sandhu was born in 3rd July 1942 to Sardarni Daan Kaur and Sardar Sumand Singh in Village of Chhak no. 133, Tehsil Silawali of District Sargodha in Punjab before the partition of India and Pakistan. He was the youngest of...
- Amar Singh ChamkilaAmar Singh ChamkilaAmar Singh Chamkila was a controversial Punjabi singer, songwriter, and musician. His detractors lamented the vulgarity in his songs while his fans relished their sensual appeal. He was also among the major Punjabi live stage performers or Akhara singers...
- Manmohan WarisManmohan WarisManmohan Waris is an award-winning Indian Punjabi folk/pop singer. Manmohan Waris was born in Halluwal, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. He is the elder brother of Sangtar & Kamal Heer...