Veena
is a classical Hindu lute belonging to the family of string musical
instruments. It is an ancient musical instrument which is said to have been invented
by Narada, one
of the seven great rishis, who was also a Veena maestro. Veena is a plucked string
instrument, about four feet long, carved and with a hollowed structure made of
wood generally jack wood. Veena is considered to be an aristocrat among
instruments. Good quality Veenas are carved from a single block of wood,
whereas, ordinary Veenas are divided into three sections namely resonator, neck
and head. Its tapered hollow neck contains metal frets set into wax on wooden
tracks. One more resonator is
present on the top of the long neck of Veena. This is used as a stand to position
the instrument. Usually it has seven strings, made up of steel along with a
long finger board containing 19 to 21 frets or supports. According to the
number of strings there are several variations of the Veena. The performer has
to place one gourd on the shoulder and the other one on the hip. Depending on
the construction and melody, Veena can be categorized into several types.
Sarasvati Veena
The modern Veena used in Carnatic music is quite different in construction from the northern Veena. The most noticeable difference in Sarasvati Veena is the repositioning of one of the gourds of Veena, so that the stem runs into it. This Veena is therefore a lute-type instrument rather than a zither, since its stem becomes a neck. Its gourd is not actually a gourd any longer; it is a hollowed-out chunk of wood, usually jackfruit that is closed in by a flat piece of wood. At the opposite end of the stem is attached a scroll, which is usually carved into the head of a dragon. Sarasvati Veena is said to be the abode of divinity as the Veena Danda represents Lord Shiva, the strings Parvati, the dragon head of Lord Vishnu, the bridge Goddess Lakshmi, the balancing gourd Lord Brahma and the connecting metal cone Sarasvati.
The modern Veena used in Carnatic music is quite different in construction from the northern Veena. The most noticeable difference in Sarasvati Veena is the repositioning of one of the gourds of Veena, so that the stem runs into it. This Veena is therefore a lute-type instrument rather than a zither, since its stem becomes a neck. Its gourd is not actually a gourd any longer; it is a hollowed-out chunk of wood, usually jackfruit that is closed in by a flat piece of wood. At the opposite end of the stem is attached a scroll, which is usually carved into the head of a dragon. Sarasvati Veena is said to be the abode of divinity as the Veena Danda represents Lord Shiva, the strings Parvati, the dragon head of Lord Vishnu, the bridge Goddess Lakshmi, the balancing gourd Lord Brahma and the connecting metal cone Sarasvati.
Vichitra Veena
This is a plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music and it is a comparatively recent addition to the Veena family. It is similar to the Gottuvadhyam Veena, since it has no frets and is played with a slide. Vichitra Veena is made of a broad, fretless, horizontal arm or crossbar (dand) around three feet long and six inches wide, with two large resonating gourds (tumba), which are inlaid with ivory and attached underneath at either end. The narrow ends of the instrument are fashioned into peacock heads. This Veena has a five-octave range. There are four main playing strings and five secondary strings (chikaris), which are played openly with the little finger for a drone effect. Underneath them are 13 sympathetic strings tuned to the notes of the appropriate raaga. To know more read:
This is a plucked string instrument used in Hindustani music and it is a comparatively recent addition to the Veena family. It is similar to the Gottuvadhyam Veena, since it has no frets and is played with a slide. Vichitra Veena is made of a broad, fretless, horizontal arm or crossbar (dand) around three feet long and six inches wide, with two large resonating gourds (tumba), which are inlaid with ivory and attached underneath at either end. The narrow ends of the instrument are fashioned into peacock heads. This Veena has a five-octave range. There are four main playing strings and five secondary strings (chikaris), which are played openly with the little finger for a drone effect. Underneath them are 13 sympathetic strings tuned to the notes of the appropriate raaga. To know more read:
