Dotara

The dotara (or dotar) (Bengali: দোতারা) is a two or four or some times five stringed musical instrument resembling more to mandolin than a guitar. It is commonly used in Assam, Bangladesh, West Bengal & Bihar, and dates from the 15th-16th century when it was adopted by the ascetic cults of Bauls and Fakirs.

The equivalent as a traditional long-necked two-stringed lute is found in Central Asia as dutar (Persian: دو تار‎‎, Uzbek: dutor) (also doutar).

The dotara is the singlemost important folk instrument used in various genres of folk music throughout the land of Bengal. It has two main forms, the bangla and the bhawaiya. The bangla form originated in the Rahr Bangla region, where it is still predominantly played. It has metal strings, which give it a brighter tone than other instruments played in the area. Although a dotara can have 4-5 string, but every song you can play with the help of two main string ( other string are used to give more variation). That is why its name is dotara (do = two, tar = string).