Jump to content

Tanjore veena

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Senthilvelsp (talk | contribs) at 08:35, 27 November 2006 (→External links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

File:Femme Vina.jpg
Woman playing the Veena.
Painting by Raja Ravi Varma
A portrait of Veena Dhanammal, legendary Veena player

Veena (also spelled vina) is a plucked stringed instrument used in Carnatic music. There are several variations of the veena, which is member of the lute family.

Veena designs have evolved over the years. Currently the most popular design is known as the Saraswati veena. This has twenty-four frets, four main strings which pass over the frets and are attached to the pegs of the neck, and three supporting strings, which pass over an arched bridge made of brass and are used as side strings for rhythmic accompaniment. The veena is played by sitting cross-legged and holding the instrument in front of oneself. The small gourd on the left rests on the left thigh, the left arm passing beneath with the left hand curved around the neck so that the fingers rest upon the frets. The veena's main body is placed on the floor, partially supported by the right thigh.

The patron Hindu goddess of learning and the arts, Mother Saraswati, is often depicted seated upon a swan or peacock and with a veena in hand.

Some other variations of the veena are the Rudra veena, Mahanataka veena, Vichitra veena, and Gottuvadhyam veena (also called the Chitra veena). Mohana veena is the name given to a modified form of guitar, invented and pouplarised by Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and often confused with ancient Indian musical instruments.

Some famous veena players

Video

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Tanjore_veena&oldid=90397503"