The Veena
Veena is one of the oldest string instruments of India. It is believed to have
been invented by Narada, the divine sage who toured three worlds.
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 ends with a head of a dragon. Veena also has 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 the performer. The
small gourd on the left is used for support and resonance, rests on the left
thigh, the left arm passing beneath the left hand curved around the neck so
that the fingers could reach the frets. The main body of the Veena called
Kudam is placed on the floor, partially supported by keeping against the
right thigh.
There are two types of Veenas in existence in present day. They are the
Ottu Veena and the Ekanda Veena. In Ottu Veena, the neck, stem and the
body are made out of separate pieces of wood where as in Eganda Veena,
the whole Veena is made out of a single piece of wood. Of those two, the
Egantha Veena has a better tonal quality.
A Hindu deity, believed to be a Goddess of education and fine arts,
Mother Saraswati, is often portrayed with playing a veena, seated on a
lotus flower or a swan.Different variations of the famous veenas are the
Saraswathi veena, Rudra veena, Mahanataka veena, Vichitra veena, and
Gottuvadhyam or chithra veena and so forth. Saraswati veena is known as
the queen of all veenas.
been invented by Narada, the divine sage who toured three worlds.
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 ends with a head of a dragon. Veena also has 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 the performer. The
small gourd on the left is used for support and resonance, rests on the left
thigh, the left arm passing beneath the left hand curved around the neck so
that the fingers could reach the frets. The main body of the Veena called
Kudam is placed on the floor, partially supported by keeping against the
right thigh.
There are two types of Veenas in existence in present day. They are the
Ottu Veena and the Ekanda Veena. In Ottu Veena, the neck, stem and the
body are made out of separate pieces of wood where as in Eganda Veena,
the whole Veena is made out of a single piece of wood. Of those two, the
Egantha Veena has a better tonal quality.
A Hindu deity, believed to be a Goddess of education and fine arts,
Mother Saraswati, is often portrayed with playing a veena, seated on a
lotus flower or a swan.Different variations of the famous veenas are the
Saraswathi veena, Rudra veena, Mahanataka veena, Vichitra veena, and
Gottuvadhyam or chithra veena and so forth. Saraswati veena is known as
the queen of all veenas.
The Veena
Saraswathi
Veena
Veena
| Goddess Saraswathi playing the Veena |
| Illustration of how Human Anatomy is related to Veena |
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| NMK |
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| Muthuswami Dikshitar |