The Bengali dotar is a kind of simple mini-sarod. Dotar actually means 'two-strings', however, the Bengali dotars have four melody strings, just like a sarod.
As with the sarod, the strings run over a smooth fretless metal finger-board, allowing smooth melodic sliding movements and flexible intonation. The wooden body is covered with goatskin. As for the pitch of the playing strings, the same intervals used for the sarod apply. Since the dotar is noticeably smaller, the pitch has to be raised significantly. The instrument comes complete with a padded bag. Average length is approximately 27"; gourd is approximately 7" in diameter and 5" deep.
IMAGES: Certified true image of the actual instrument, this is not a general stock photo. We're keeping it simple, so you know exactly what you're getting!
