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.
The modern Agricultural Revolution was started by the increase in farm technology and new ideas like crop rotation.
The system of checks and balances is the American Federal Government's way of ensuring that each branch has its own responsibilities but also has responsibilities, limits, and obligations as it pertains to the other branches of government.
This has worked well for most of the country's history but since the 1930s, the Presidency/Executive branch has become the branch that is possibly more powerful than the rest, especially in the minds of the people.
This is seen in the modern era, with the Presidency leading legislative pushes and leading their parties representatives in the House and Senate.
To fix this, the first step would be for the Senate to regain its authority when it comes to Foreign Affairs. Starting in the 1950s, the Executive branch used legal but suspect schemes to circumvent Congress' singular right to Declare war.
So, for the last 17 years, America has been fighting a war on terrorism without a Congressional declaration of war. The last time Congress declared war was in 1942, so Korea/Vietnam/Gulf War I/etc. were all accomplished without a Congressional declaration.
What we will need to see if Congress stepping up and acting like a co-equal branch of Government, instead of a branch subservient to the interests of the executive branch.
True. It was written for the Declaration of Independence.
Source: www.enotes.com
