Taus

The Taus, also known as Mayuri Veena, is a bowed stringed instrument distinguished by its peacock-shaped resonating body. The name derives from the Persian word for peacock, acknowledging the instrument's striking visual form. Associated with Sikh Gurus and the devotional music tradition of Gurmat Sangeet, the taus produces a haunting, resonant tone suited to spiritual contemplation and classical expression.

Traditional accounts attribute the taus to Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, who was reportedly inspired by the sound of peacock cries resonating with stringed instruments. According to this tradition, the Guru envisioned "an instrument that sounds like a combination of the resonation of all the string instruments and the plaintive cry of the peacock." The resulting instrument carries both aesthetic beauty and symbolic significance within Sikh tradition.

"The taus sings with the voice of the peacock, crying out in devotion across the ages."

Construction and Design

The taus features a wooden body carved in the shape of a peacock, with the bird's neck forming the instrument's own neck and the body serving as the resonating chamber. Goatskin covers the resonator, while a long fretted neck extends from the peacock's head. The instrument is played with a bow, with the left hand stopping notes on the frets while sympathetic strings add resonance.

The peacock form is not merely decorative but symbolically significant. In Indian tradition, the peacock represents beauty, grace, and spirituality. The instrument's elaborate carving reflects the devotional context for which it was designed, where music serves as offering to the divine rather than mere entertainment.

Relationship to Dilruba

The dilruba developed as a more portable alternative to the taus. According to traditional accounts, Guru Gobind Singh (the tenth Sikh Guru) had the dilruba created so that the Sikh army could carry an instrument on horseback. The dilruba retains the taus's fretted, bowed design while abandoning the peacock body for a simpler rectangular resonator. Both instruments serve similar musical functions within Sikh devotional practice.

Playing Technique

The taus is played seated, with the instrument resting on the floor or held against the body. A horsehair bow draws across the main strings while the left hand stops notes on the frets. The technique resembles that of the dilruba and esraj, with meend (glissando) achieved through fret pressure and controlled slide. Sympathetic strings resonate with the melody, creating depth and richness.

The instrument's size and weight present challenges for transportation and performance. The elaborate peacock carving requires careful handling to prevent damage. These practical considerations contributed to the dilruba's rise as a more common alternative for everyday devotional practice.

Contemporary Status

The taus has become rare, with few practitioners and instrument makers maintaining the tradition. Efforts to preserve the instrument continue through dedicated craftsmen and musicians who recognise its historical and spiritual significance. Organisations and individuals have undertaken documentation and revival projects to ensure this distinctive voice is not lost.

Within Gurmat Sangeet, the taus retains special reverence as an instrument associated with the Gurus themselves. Performances on taus carry historical weight beyond their musical content, connecting contemporary practitioners to the instrument's sacred origins.