Hi, again, this sounds definitely like the Indian version of what Takeo described being originally invented in his hometown in Japan, then adapted in India. I have been planning to get an Indian "Banjo" for a couple of years, and just have not done it yet. When I was in Missoula last Saturday, picking up a Martin classical and a mandolin that my brother left for my son, I went to the Stringed Instruments store and found not only a hairy armadillo charango, but a typewriter keyed instrument that I immediately knew was some form of a taishokoto. It had a metal body painted black, with something like Japanese Uke printed on it. I don't remember exactly what it said. I had my camera in the car. I should have taken a picture of it.

Alice