What is the turha, the new election symbol of Sharad Pawar’s NCP?

The Election Commission has allotted the election symbol “Man Blowing Turha” to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) faction led by Sharad Pawar, after the well-known “Clock” symbol of the undivided party was allotted to Ajit Pawar. The Ajit Pawar faction earlier got the party’s original name, NCP, while the Sharad Pawar faction was given the name “Nationalist Congress Party — Sharadchandra Pawar”. What’s a turha, the veteran leader’s new election symbol? > “एक तुतारी द्या मज आणुनि फुंकिन मी जी स्वप्राणाने भेदुनि टाकिन सगळी गगने दीर्घ जिच्या त्या किंकाळीने अशी तुतारी द्या मजलागुनी!” “महाराष्ट्राच्या इतिहासात छत्रपती शिवरायांच्या शौर्यानं ज्या तुतारीने दिल्लीच्या तख्ताच्याही कानठळ्या बसवल्या होत्या, तीच ‘तुतारी’ आज निवडणूक चिन्ह… pic.twitter.com/LsgvjlWzuN — Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (@NCPspeaks) February 22, 2024 “एक तुतारी द्या मज आणुनि फुंकिन मी जी स्वप्राणाने भेदुनि टाकिन सगळी गगने दीर्घ जिच्या त्या किंकाळीने अशी तुतारी द्या मजलागुनी!” “महाराष्ट्राच्या इतिहासात छत्रपती शिवरायांच्या शौर्यानं ज्या तुतारीने दिल्लीच्या तख्ताच्याही कानठळ्या बसवल्या होत्या, तीच ‘तुतारी’ आज निवडणूक चिन्ह… pic.twitter.com/LsgvjlWzuN — Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar (@NCPspeaks) February 22, 2024 It’s a wind instrument, like a trumpet. The symbol shows a man blowing a long, curved, trumpet-like instrument in the shape of a reverse ‘C’, decorated with a thread or string. The turha is also pronounced and written as turhi, turahi, or turturi, and varies somewhat in form across regions in Maharashtra. The instrument used to be made of bullock horns before metal became common. It is usually played almost exclusively by men, the majority of whom have learnt the art over generations. ## There is a historical significance and an auspicious connotation to the blowing of the turha. In an earlier age, the ceremonial blowing of the turha heralded the arrival of kings, nobles, and other high dignitaries. In Maharashtra, the turha was a popular instrument in the court of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. According to Swar Classical, an organisation that creates software for Indian classical music, the tutari was played as a salute during the reign of the Adilshahi kings of Bijapur (1490-1686). The blowing of the turha heralded the beginning of preparations for a significant journey or work, as well as of battle. It was also blown to signal the beginning and the end of combat. Swar Classical says on its website that during colonial rule, tutari musicians hid from the British in temples and, thus, the music became a part of religious tradition. ## The tradition of blowing the turha continues today. Today, the instrument is often used at weddings or other happy occasions, and at political rallies in Maharashtra. The turha was blown as a rallying call at the farmers’ protest of 2020-21. The blowing of the turha is often accompanied by the playing of percussion instruments such as the dhol. In Pune, the annual Ganeshotsav celebration is incomplete without the sonorous call of the turha interspersed with dhol-tasha beats. It is used in other parts of India too, as well as in some places outside India. In parts of Madhya Pradesh, the Gond tribals have a practice of blowing the tutari. It is a traditional instrument in Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand, where it is played during the ritual worship of Lord Shiva and some other gods. According to one legend, the sound of the conch (the other common wind instrument used in religious rituals) agitates the bhoot, pret, and rakshasa spirits around Shiva, so the sound of the turhi is seen as being more appropriate. The instrument has featured on the Chhattisgarh float at the Republic Day parade, and is played as a ritual musical instrument in Nepal and Sri Lanka as well. Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More