The gopichand, also known as gopiyantra or khamak, is a very popular folk instrument of Bengal. The sound of the gopichand is quite distinctive. The length may be as small as one foot or as long as three feet, however 2-3 feet is the norm. The two legs of bamboo are squeezed together by the left hand while the right hand plucks the string, producing a peculiar bending of the pitch. The gopichand is typically a rhythmic instrument rather than a melodic instrument.
