Brazil to Mexico: Latin America's image problem. Infiltration of organized crime in Mexico's local police forces and controversies surrounding the highest levels of government have tarnished the country's image as a model reformer. Argentina is still reeling after its recent default.
Ektara (Hindi: एकतारा, Bengali: একতারা, Nepali: एकतारे, Punjabi: ਇਕ ਤਾਰਾ, Tamil: எக்டரா; literally 'one-string', also called actara, iktar, ektar, yaktaro, gopichand, gopichant, golki Nepali: गोल्, gopijiantra, tun tuna) is a one-stringed musical instrument used in the traditional music of South Asia,[1] and used in modern-day music of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.[1] It originated in South Asia.[1]
In origin the ektara was a regular string instrument of wandering bards and minstrels from India and is plucked with one finger. The ektara is a drone lute consisting of a gourd resonator covered with skin, through which a bamboo neck is inserted. It is used in parts of India and Nepal today by Yogis and wandering holy men to accompany their singing and prayers. In Nepal, the instrument accompanies the singing of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.[2]
It has two forms. One form resembles a lute. To make that version, a bamboo stick (90cm long) is inserted through side of wooden bowl (called a "tumbo") and the top of the bowl is covered with deerskin. The instrument has a single string running from a peg at the top, down the length of the stick-neck, across a bridge on the deerhide soundboard, and is tied at the "spike" where the stick pokes through the bowl. The instrument's string is plucked with the musicians index fingernail.[3][2]
The other version uses a drum-like body, and a skin soundboard with a string attached (to bend the sound of the soundboard). Two bamboo lathes are attached to the side of the drumhead and the string goes from the soundboard to where the lathes meet. This version of the instrument may be played either by plucking the string or by tapping the drumhead. Squeezing and releasing the bamboo lathes puts pressure on the drumhead and bends the pitch up and down. This form is associated with the Bauls of West Bengal, as well as the Tharu people of Udayapur District, Nepal.
He was so popular because he led the US through the Great Depression and World War II
Agriculture plays a crucial role in the rise and development of civilizations, since it allows for there to be a "food surplus"--meaning that people other than farmers can spend time and effort developing new skills and practicing new trades.