What does pandura mean?
A pandura is an ancient plucked string instrument, best known as a long-necked lute with a relatively small resonating body. Instruments of this general type were played in ancient South Asian and Greek musical traditions, and the name is associated especially with the Indian instrument that preceded several later forms of the lute. Its strings could be plucked singly or together, allowing it to provide both melody and accompaniment. The word is uncommon in modern English and is more likely to appear in historical writing, musicology, or descriptions of ancient instruments. It is also useful as a precise term when referring to a lute-like instrument from antiquity rather than the many later instruments grouped loosely under the general name lute. Closely related names include tambura and tanbur, while pandore is a historical English form.
nounA plucked string instrument with a long neck and a small resonating body, regarded as an ancestor or predecessor of several later lutes.
- An ancient plucked lute with a long neck and small resonating body, known in South Asian and ancient Greek musical traditions.
"The musician plucked the pandura in a slow, measured rhythm."
"The pandura provided a clear melodic accompaniment to the recitation."
"An ancient depiction shows a musician holding the pandura across his lap."
The regular English plural is panduras.
"The collection includes two panduras from different musical traditions."
The pandura is an ancient member of the lute family whose name echoes in several later instruments from South Asia and the Mediterranean.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pandura come from?
The English word comes through Latin from the ancient Greek pandoura, a name for a lute or similar stringed instrument. Greek pandoura is related to Sanskrit paṇḍura, likewise a term for a stringed instrument, and cognate forms appear in the names of several Asian lutes. English also formerly used pandore, while tambura and tanbur preserve related forms in other languages.
Related word forms
How pandura is actually used
The word is mainly historical or specialized. It may also refer to a modern revival or reconstruction of the ancient instrument, but such uses are uncommon in general English.
Easily confused with pandura
A pandora is a plucked lute, whereas a pandora usually refers to the mythological figure or object associated with Pandora.