The Veena: An Introduction to South Indian Carnatic Classical Music
Are you a music learner looking to explore new instruments and genres? If so, the Veena might be an instrument worth considering! The Veena is a traditional Indian instrument that has been used in South Indian Carnatic classical music for centuries. In this blog, we'll give you an introduction to this beautiful instrument, including its history, features, and playing techniques.
Origins and History
The Veena belongs to the category of string-plucked instruments and is named after the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who is depicted as playing the Veena. The Saraswati Veena, as it is now known, is mainly used in playing South Indian Carnatic classical music and is a member of the lute family. There are several variations of the Veena, like the Rudraveena and the Chitravina, which are used in other forms of music. However, in Carnatic classical music, the Saraswati Veena is the most commonly used instrument.
The history of the Veena can be traced back to 2500 BC, and it has since evolved and been modified in various ways. The Saraswati Veena has 24 fixed head frets on a bed of wax and is mainly made from seasoned jackfruit wood. The city of Tanjore, located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is particularly famous for the quality of the Veena produced there.
Features of the Veena
The Veena is about four feet long, with the main resonator made of jackfruit wood. The small khuddam on the left-hand side is used as a supportive thing, and it is used for the player to keep on their left thigh. The left hand is brought below the stem or the dandi and then brought over the frets in a curved fashion so that it is conducive for keeping the fingers on the frets. The right hand's palm is placed on the edge of the top plank, and the two fingers, index and the middle fingers, are used to pluck the strings. The left hand's two fingers used are the index and the middle fingers, and some players also use the ring finger to produce additional effects.
Playing Techniques
The Veena is capable of producing both the raga (melody) and the tala (rhythm), and there is also another dimension to it, which is the lyric. The Veena can play the sahitya of the lyric and can bring out the bhava of a song, making it a versatile instrument. The player must be careful while selecting the bridge, as the top plate of the bridge decides the tonal quality of the Veena.
The Veena has four main strings that pass over the main bridge, and the four strings are plain strings that pass over the bridge on a bed of wax. The resonator is connected to the dandi of the stem, on which a bit of wax is laid. On this wax, there are 24 frets corresponding to the 24 swarasthanas contained in two octaves. The four strings pass over these frets, and the other end of the string is passed through a small hole.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Veena is a beautiful instrument that has a long and rich history in Indian music. It is an intricate instrument that requires skill and dedication to master, but the rewards are immense. If you are a music learner interested in exploring new genres and instruments, consider giving the Veena a try!