Dotara; lute

A Baul dotara, round-backed lute. The slightly waisted back, the neck and the peg-box are carved from a single piece of wood. The curved peg-box, with pegs for four strings, terminates in a stylised bird's head. Glass fingerboard with a strip of paper with drawings of flowers and (Bengali?) writing beneath. Goat (?) skin soundtable perforated with 3 circular soundholes. Four strings of different gauges, 3 of steel wire, the proximal string of brass wire. Wooden bridge and plectrum tied to the bridge with string. Carrying strap. Purchased in 1976.