---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-taus'
title: 'What is a taus?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/fce96177fd193d3a'
date: '2026-10-19T15:06:00+00:00'
type: website
summary: 'The taus is a bowed, fretted lute from the Punjab with a peacock-shaped, skin-covered resonator, linked to Sikh devotional music.'
tags:
  - 'Instruments & artforms'
image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
published: true
og:
  site_name: KalaSudha
  'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:type': image/svg+xml
  'image:alt': KalaSudha
---
 

 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is a taus?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

The **[taus](/en-gb/instrument/taus)** is a bowed, fretted long-necked lute that emerged from the Punjab region. Its wooden resonator, covered with a skin membrane, is carved as a peacock, with wings, legs, beak and real feathers at the tail, and a horsehair bow sounds its metal strings. It accompanied courtly nautch dance and is associated with Sikh devotional music.



 

 Was this answer helpful? [  ](/en-gb/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-894&destination=/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-taus)

 [  ](/en-gb/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-894&destination=/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-taus)

 

 Thanks for your feedback!

 

 

## Related pages

 1 page mentions this question

 

 

###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Taus The taus is a bowed, fretted lute with a peacock-shaped carved wooden body, used in Sikh Gurbani kirtan. Sikh tradition credits Guru Hargobind with creating it…     ](/en-gb/instrument/taus)
 
  

 

 

   [     Previous question What is a taus made of?  ](/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-taus-made-of) [  Next question What is a tavil made of?     ](/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-tavil-made-of)