Dakkari (Nepali: डक्कारी) is a bowed string instrument of Mithila region in Nepal. It is a fiddle about 45 centimeters long (about 17 inches), carved from a single piece of wood, with two sound chambers covered with goatskin.[1] The instrument has six strings on it. The bow is made with hair from horse tail dipped into pine tar or rubbed with rosin.[1] [2] [3]
The instrument is played by the Domra caste in Teraai, Janakpur Zone.[1] The musicians play annually at the Bibaaha Panchami festival in December at the Goddess Janaki's temple in Janakpur.[1] Janaki and Sita are names for the same goddess. Another tradition had the musicians playing door to door for gifts, singing and playing the Ramayana and its tragedy of Sita.[1]