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Tumburu or Tumbaru is the best Gandharv among all Gandharv. He sings in the courts of Kuber, Brahmaa and Indra. He leads the group of Gandharv in singing. Besides

Tumburu is supposed to be son of Kashyap Jee and his wife Pradhaa. Among the sons of kashyap, his four Gandharv sons are very famous - Tumburu, Baahu, Haahaa, and Hoohoo for their sweet and pleasant speech. He is supposed to be the best among Gandharv and celestial musicians. After Naarad Jee and Gop, only he is the king of music. Bhaagvat Puraan considers Naarad Jee as his teacher.

Once Tumburu accompanied Naarad Jee to the court of Yudhishthir. Adbhut Raamaayan mentions that Tumburu was the best of all singers and was rewarded by god Vishnu. Naarad Jee was jealous of him, but Vishnu told Naarad Jee that Tumuru is dear to Him as he loved his songs of praise, rather then the austerities performed by Naarad Jee to please Him. Then Vishnu sends Naarad Jee to an owl, named Ganabandhu to learn music. Naarad Jee learnt the music from that owl and came back to win Tumburu. When he comes to Tumburu's house, he finds him surrounded by many wounded men an women. Naard Jee learnt that they were all Raag and Raaginee injured by his bad singing. Naarad Jee leaves the place embarrassed and finally learns music from Krishn's wives.

He is most known as a follower of Kuber, that is why his songs are often heard near Kuber's place on Gandhmaadan Parvat. He is sometimes described as Muni also instead of a Gandharv. He taught Dance to Apsaraa Rambhaa too, and because of this he is considered her husband. He has suffered a curse also due to Rambhaa (in Raamaayan). He has two daughters - Manovatee and Sukeshaa who are called Panch-chood collectively and they ride the Sun's chariot in Chaitra and Madhu (Vaishaakh) Maas. Tumburu is said to preside over Madhu (Vaishaakh) and Maadhav (Maagh) Maas.

In South India he is normally depicted havinh a horse face, and carrying a Veenaa that he plays as he sings. He holds wooden cymbals in his another hand. He beats them to give his music a rhythm. A legend says that once he did a severe penance to please Shiv and asked to give him a horse face, immortality, liberty to travel in the Universe, skilled in music and singing and ability to reside with and serve Shiv. Shiv granted him all the boons he asked for.

Tumburu in MBH
Tumburu appears in MBH too. Once he gives 100 horses to Yudhishthir and attended his Ashwamedh Yagya too. He also stayed in Yudhishthir's court for a few days. He attended the birth celebrations of Arjun also, and welcomed him in Swarg too when he came to Swarg to take Divine weapons from Indra. He then became the friend of Arjun and saw fighting him with Kaurav when he went to fight with them from Viraat's side. He gave him his Gandharv weapon too. Tumburu also gave his war horses to Shikhandee.

Tumburu in Raamaayan
Ramaayan mentions that when Raam and Lakshman were in exile, they met a Raakshas named Viraadh. This Raakshas was the cursed Tumburu. Once Kuber cursed Tumburu for not bringing Rambhaa to him at the appointed time. Kuber further said that he would be freed from his curse after Raam has killed him. So Viraadh was born as the son of giant Jaya and his wife Shatahrid. He had two long arms and a fierce appearance. He rushed at Seetaa and caught hold of Her and ran carrying Her. Raam and Lakshman followed him, freed Seetaa by cutting his arms and decided to burn him alive as he was still alive after cutting his arms. Viraadh told Raam his story, assumed the form of Tumburu and went back to his Lok.

Tumburu in Kathaa Saritsaagar
According to Kathaa Saritsaagar, Tumburu was responsible to separate King Pururavaa and Urvashee. The story goes like this that once King Pururavaa visited Swarg and Rambhaa was dancing before her Guru. Pururavaa found a fault in her dance and insulted her for it. At this Tumburu questioned his knowledge about the Divine dance of Swarg. Pururavaa told him that his wife Uravshee has told him much more than that what Tumburu knew about the subject. Hearing this Tumburu got very angry and cursed him to become separated from Urvashee till he did penance for Vishnu. After this incident, Gandharv kidnapped Urvashee and thus Tumburu's curse came to be true.

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