Saraswati Veena

The Saraswati Veena is a beautiful plucked string instrument that originated in ancient India and continues to captivate musicians and listeners today. It is named after the Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts, Saraswati, who is often depicted playing the veena.

The veena has a long hollow neck with 24 frets, 4 main playing strings, 3 drone strings, and two gourd resonators at either end for a rich, resonant sound.

Mastering the veena takes years of dedicated practice but allows for great expression and melody. While ancient in origins, the veena continues to evolve with modern innovations as well.

History and Origins of Saraswati Veena

The veena has its roots in ancient India as a plucked string instrument. The earliest origins can be traced back to the Vil Yazh, the bow harp used by hunters over 3000 years ago during the Vedic period. When the bow string was plucked, it produced a tone that was called the ‘Jya ghosha’. This gradually evolved into the concept of a musical string instrument.

Which Hindu texts mention the existence of the veena?

The veena finds reference in some of the oldest Hindu Vedic scriptures. The Rigveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, and Samaveda from thousands of years ago all contain mentions of the veena and evidence of early stringed instruments. The ancient epic Mahabharata also describes the veena as a premier musical instrument.

How did the veena evolve over time in ancient India?

Over the centuries, many versions of the veena were developed. They used different materials like eagle bone, bamboo, dried pumpkin, and animal gut or nerve to create the strings. These early veenas ranged from one string to one hundred strings! Some were played vertically, others horizontally. Regional variations emerged as the instrument evolved through trial and error.

Who standardized the design of the modern Saraswati Veena?

It was in the early 1700s, during the reign of King Raghunatha Nayak of the Thanjavur royal court, that the veena acquired a standardized design. The court musician Govinda Dikshitar is credited with establishing the shape and structure of today’s Saraswati veena which has 24 fixed frets and 4 main playing strings. This design was named the ‘Tanjore’ veena style after the Thanjavur region.

Who is the veena named after?

The Saraswati veena gets its name from the Hindu goddess of wisdom and arts, Saraswati. She is usually depicted in paintings and sculptures playing the veena which represents the concept of music for enlightenment in Hindu philosophy. Paying homage to the goddess, the most evolved string instrument came to be named Saraswati veena. This nomenclature helped distinguish it from other regional veena varieties in India.

Construction and Design

The Saraswati veena consists of wood and metal. The resonator body at one end is traditionally carved out of a single piece of jackfruit wood which provides a rich resonance. The long, hollow neck is also made of wood. The frets number 24 and are fixed in position along the neck. These frets are made from bell metal or brass.

What are the parts that make up the veena?

The main parts of the veena include the kudam, the large resonator gourd carved from wood. The dandi is the long tapering hollow neck with 24 brass frets set into it. At the end of the dandi is the yali or headstock which is curved and decorated. The playing strings pass from the end of the resonator over a curved bridge on top and are attached to tuning pegs in the yali. Underneath on the player’s side are additional smaller bridge for drone strings.

What is unique about the neck and tuning pegs?

The dandi or neck has a hollow tubular structure which allows the drone strings to run through it. The yali at the end is decorated with carvings and a dragon motif. The tuning pegs are set in a curved box shape unlike the straight tuning pegs of a guitar. This box provides added stability and tuning control.

What dimensions does the veena have?

A Saraswati veena is typically about 4 feet in length. The resonator is rounded and about 1.5-2 feet wide. The hollow neck tapers as it extends out around 2.5-3 feet. This allows comfortable access to the frets for the musician’s left hand. The boxed tuning head at the end adds another 6 inches or so.

Which Hindu deities are associated with each part of the veena?

The veena is considered a divine instrument in Hindu scriptures. Each part is associated with a deity – the resonator with Saraswati, the neck with Brahma, the frets with Shiva, the strings with Parvati, the bridge with Lakshmi and the yali/head with Vishnu. This symbolizes the veena as the union of science and art.

Playing Technique

The traditional way to play the veena is seated cross-legged on the floor. The large resonator gourd is placed to the right side with the neck angled slightly away on the left. The smaller gourd rests on the left thigh. The veena is played horizontally unlike early vertical versions.

How is the veena held and manipulated to produce sound?

The long hollow neck rests on the player’s left palm. The fingertips of the left hand press down on the strings against the frets to produce different notes. The strings are plucked with the right hand fingers to create the melody. The index and middle fingers pluck the main playing strings while the pinky plucks the drone strings.

What techniques are involved in fretting and plucking the strings?

The left hand uses techniques like slides and oscillations between frets to produce gamakas which ornament the notes. Smooth transitions between notes are crucial in veena playing. The right hand plucks the strings outwards using fingernails. Plucking technique involves outward motion and a sharp deflection of the string for clear notes.

How are the drone strings integrated into the performance?

The drone strings provide a constant harmonic accompaniment. They are tuned to the tonic, fifth and upper tonic notes of the raga. The little finger of the right hand periodically plucks the drone strings while the melody unfolds on the main playing strings. This creates a rich, resonant reverberation.

How is the veena used to produce gamakas and glissandi?

Gamakas involve oscillating a string back and forth against a fret rapidly to produce oscillations in pitch. Glissandi or sliding between notes is achieved by pulling the string sideways along the fret to reach the destination note. The curves of the veena allow for easy gamaka and meend playing compared to fretted instruments.

Tuning and Sound

The Saraswati veena has two sets of strings – the main playing strings and the drone strings. The four main playing strings are tuned to the tonic note and fifth note (usually a perfect fourth interval) in two different octaves. For example, the strings could be tuned to B3, E3, B2 and E2.

What is the purpose of the drone strings?

The three thinner drone strings are tuned to the tonic note (B in the above example), the fifth note (E) and the octave above the tonic (B4). These drone strings run underneath the frets and provide a constant resonant base for the raga being played on the main strings.

What gives the veena its unique tone and sustain?

Several design factors contribute to the signature sound of the veena. The curves and slope of the bridge allows the strings to vibrate tangentially rather than perpendicularly. This allows continuous contact and maximum string resonance. The beeswax under the frets also helps filter out extraneous noises.

Why is the curvature suited for Indian ragas?

Unlike the flat fretboard of a guitar, the frets on the veena are arranged in a curved slope. This allows for very subtle oscillations and pitch inflections crucial for playing ragas. The frets can be partially pressed to bend notes, which is harder on flat fretboards. The tuning and tonality is perfectly suited for Carnatic music.

The specialized design elements like the bridge, frets, drone strings and tuning result in a unique tone and sustain that complements the requirements of Indian classical music. These attributes have evolved over centuries of tradition and experimentation to produce an instrument capable of highly expressive raga renditions.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In Hindu mythology, Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. She is revered as the source of wisdom, creativity and inspiration. Saraswati is almost always depicted seated upon a white lotus, dressed in pure white and holding a veena in her hands representing the perfection of music.

How is the veena represented in Hindu iconography and texts?

Across ancient Hindu temples like the renowned Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara temple, bronzes and carvings show Saraswati playing the veena. The earliest references date back to the Vedic period literature where the veena is described as a instrument played by sages to attain enlightenment. The Natyashastra by Bharata also extensively references the veena and its spiritually purifying powers.

What is the deeper meaning behind Goddess Saraswati playing the veena?

The veena represents the human spinal column with its 24 vertebrae mapped to the frets. The 7 strings represent the 7 chakras or energy centers. Saraswati symbolizes the divine cosmic energy and creativity, so her veena depicts channeling primal energy through music. This relates to the Yoga concept of Nada Brahman or divine sound currents.

Why has the veena been revered for centuries in Indian tradition?

Playing the veena and mastering its intricacies has been considered a spiritual sadhana or disciplined practice leading to self-realization. The purity of the veena’s tones are said to evoke feelings of compassion and tranquility. Venerable sages were traditionally depicted playing the veena. Ancient Hindu medical treatises even describe veena vibrations as having healing and curative effects.

In what ways does the veena represent enlightenment in Hindu philosophy?

Scriptural verses portray the veena as a means to attain moksha or liberation. The improvisational nature of Indian classical music mirrors the inner experience of rising above the mundane to union with the divine. This mystical hope of merging with the Infinite pervades the tradition of veena music. The subtleties and vibrations of the veena make it an ideal contemplative tool for yogis and thinkers alike.

Prominent Vainikas Over the Years

Over the centuries, many pioneering vainikas have shaped the evolution of Saraswati veena music. They developed unique playing styles and repertoire that form the foundation of today’s veena tradition.

• Veena Sheshanna (1852-1926) was an eminent court musician of the Mysore kingdom known for creating the modern horizontal veena playing style along with a large body of compositions.
• Veenai Dhanammal (1867-1938) was one of the most influential Carnatic veena exponents pioneering a distinct style that emphasized raga bhava and complex gamakas.
• The Karaikudi Brothers – Subbarama Iyer (1883-1936) and Sambasiva Iyer (1888-1958) were famous for their duet performances blending contrasting veena techniques.
• Mysore V. Doraiswamy Iyengar (1920-1997) enriched the Mysore bani with his structurally rigorous and precise approach earning him the title of veena maestro.

What were some of their signature contributions to veena music?

Emani Sankara Sastry (1922-1987) was a revolutionary veena player who introduced Hindustani ragas, created new tonal possibilities and played in unaccompanied solo concerts.

Chitti Babu (1936-1996) is considered one of the greatest veena legends blending tradition and innovation. His colorful tone, catchy rhythmic phrases and cascading sangatis defined an Andhra bani school.

These pioneering vainikas composed extensively, standardized instrument design, established playing styles and took veena music from courts and temples to the mainstream concert stage. Their ingenious techniques and expansive musicianship built the foundation for today’s veena tradition.

Contemporary Players

In the modern era, renewed interest in the Saraswati veena is being fueled by talented musicians across India and globally. They are popularizing the veena through concerts, recordings, mentorship and social media.

• Jayanthi Kumaresh is known for her Carnatic and Hindustani fusion concerts worldwide along with founding the Indian National Orchestra.
• Rugmini Gopalakrishnan represents the illustrious lineage of the Travancore style established by K.S. Narayanaswamy. Her traditional yet imaginative concerts have earned her the moniker Queen of Strings.
• Prince Rama Varma hails from the famous royal family of Travancore bringing a distinctive aesthetic to veena playing. His jugalbandis with Hindustani musicians are hugely popular.

How have they furthered the classical veena tradition?

• Rajhesh Vaidhya is renowned for his background score work in Tamil cinema while remaining deeply rooted in Carnatic music.
• Veenai Gayathri, disciple of Chitti Babu, balances innovation with tradition winning top honors like the Kalaimamani award.
• Suma Sudhindra, creator of the unique Tarangini veena, specializes in instrumental ensemble performances and student mentorship through her academy.

Today’s leading vainikas have complemented their rigorous classical training with creative collaborations, inter-cultural productions, academic research and technology integration. Their vibrant musicianship and global outreach inspires renewed appreciation for the rich heritage of the Saraswati veena.

Modern Innovations

The traditional veena has seen many modern innovations to enhance its usage, portability and visibility. Contact microphones and electromagnetic pickups are now routinely attached to amplify the veena’s soft volume for concerts and recordings.

Pioneers like V.S. Narasimhan and G. Raj Narayan invented the electronic veena and digital veena by replacing the resonator with built-in amplifiers and speakers. These versions allow different sound textures and precise pitch with no need for retuning.

What kinds of amplifiers and electrical accessories are used today?

Miniature veenas mounted on regular fretboards are easier to carry compared to the large traditional veenas. Modified portable veenas have been created by K.S. Narayanaswamy and Padmavathy Ananthagopalan using lightweight materials.

High quality recordings have made veena music accessible globally. Archival audio and video of past masters helps preserve traditional techniques. YouTube and social media also popularize veena music among new generation listeners.

How are digital versions advancing accessibility to the veena?

Tuning stability, sustain pedals and digital sound banks in electronic veenas allow more versatility and expressiveness. Innovations like the 22-string Shruti veena with matching frets and strings for all semitones also enable new modal possibilities.

Technology is helping bridge the past and future of the veena. It removes geographic and practical constraints in learning this esoteric instrument while retaining the essence of a rich musical tradition. The veena’s heritage continues to inspire innovation within and beyond tradition.

Annual Veena Festivals

Various organizations promote the Saraswati veena by organizing dedicated festivals and conferences. These events provide platforms to showcase veena musicians, build community and spark interest in keeping the tradition thriving.

• The Margazhi Veena Festival organized since 2004 in Chennai celebrates the unique tones and versatility of the veena. Concerts are held every December featuring all aspects of veena playing – solo, jugalbandi, dance compositions and more.
• Mudhra Veena Festival held annually in Chennai since 2005 hosts concerts and lecture demonstrations about veena history and techniques. It provides exposure for upcoming veena talent.
• Veena Navarathri initiated in 2007 is a 10-day festival coinciding with the Navratri celebrations. It includes special events like veena orchestration, lec dems and competitions to discover new talent.
• The International Veena Conference organized by SAPNA promotes cross-cultural veena music collaborations uniting artists from around the world. Started in 2009, it is dedicated to global outreach.

These festivals allow vainikas to share their music, discuss innovations, learn from each other and find inspiration. They play a vital role in educating the public, mentoring students and ensuring the saraswati veena continues to thrive.