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Dr. SUVARNALATHA RAO is research scientist and coordinator at the NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts) in Bombay. Besides being an accomplished sitarist she has written books on theory and history of Indian Classical Music as well as studies on the construction of stringed instruments.

In her researches she has been in contact with the Forest Research Institutions in Utrah Pradesh. They found the best Toon came from Assam, the far Northeast region of India. Other woods (some Toon as well) for musical instruments can be found in the Southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, though Jack Wood is most often used there for the construction of Saraswati Veena's.

"A big problem in India is the drying and seasoning of the wood. Due to the humidity (especially during the monsoons) it takes many years to season the Toon wood for use in constructing sitars and tanpuras. Often builders don't have the time to wait until their supplies of wood are seasoned well enough. Another problem is room for storing the wood to season as many builders own only little shops in crowded urban areas."

For this reason alternative industrial methods to dry the woods should be looked at. Kiln drying could be a solution, although many builders don't trust the use of artificially dried wood.

Dr. Rao will supply more information within some weeks.

If you wish to contact Mrs. Rao
please write to us.