For a period it is learnt that sitars were without tarab and the upper tumba. Over a period, additional strings above and below the bridge were added. We have photos of paintings which shows that an additional upper tumba and in some, a further third tumba at the joint of the main lower tumba was also fixed. Later, the reverse process started. The third tumba disappeared and in our gharana even the upper tumba was removed. Maihar gharana continues to have a sitar with lower and upper tumba. It is believed that we removed upper tumba to make travel easier with a relative smaller and lighter case in which the sitar is packed. I believe that in our gharana I am the only one using a sitar with two tumbas.
Now the response to the question. I believe that with the additional weight of the upper tumba on the joint of the lower main tumba and the dand ( fret board), the sound of the sitar is a little extra rounded, which I like. Two other extra reasons: the sitar when rested on a surface does not roll over when it rests on both the tumbas. Further, I think a sitar with both the lower and upper tumba looks nice !!!!
We do have a few vintage photos of Ustad Vilayat Khan playing sitar with an upper tumba. In fact, when Khansaheb came to Mumbai in 1943, he was still playing a sitar with both the tumbas for some time.
21. Does ths sitar with two tumbas give a better sound effect than the one having a single tumba?
Does ths sitar with two tumbas give a better sound effect than the one having a single tumba?