Getting Acquainted with Kora

Photo: Golam Mahbub

Kora, a 21-string bridge-harp used extensively in West Africa, is not familiar to Bangladeshis. It creates sounds that resemble that of a harp, though when played in traditional style, Kora bears a closer resemblance to flamenco and delta blues guitar techniques. A Kora-player uses thumb and index finger of both hands to pluck the strings to create music. On March 3, British-born West African instrumentalist Tunde Jegede performed some Kora scores at the Drik Gallery in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Drik and Culturepot Global arranged the event, where a couple of docu-films on Jegede and the instrument were also screened.