The names of the 4 strings and the notes to which they are tuned are given below
1. Panchamam – Mandra sthayi Panchamam – P
2. Sarani – Madhya Sthayi Shadjam – S
3. Anusarani – Madhya Sthayi Shadjam – S
4. Mandram Mandra Stahyi Shadjam – S
The Tambura is usually held upright while playing. The Kudam is made to rest on the right thigh. The 4 strings are gently plucked one after another. Starting from the Panchamam and ending with the Mandram; this process is continuously repeated. The forefinger of the right hand is used for this purpose. We get the maximum effect when the strings are plucked either at the centre or at 2/3 length of the bridge. When the instrument is held horizontally with the Kudam on the right thigh the Panchama string is the farthest away from the performer.
The names of the 4 regular strings are 1) Sarani 2) Panchamukam (P) 3) Mandram (S) 4) Anumandram (P) The other 3 strings are: 1) Pakka Sarani 2) Pakka Panchamam 3) Hechu Sarani (S). On the Outer part of the Kudam, we find generally more than 20 curved lines. On the top part of the kudam we find small holes in a circular manner; They are known as ‘Nadarandirams’.