Context:
Thanjavur Veena is the first musical instrument in the country to get the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Relevance:
GS I: Art and Culture
Thanjavur Veena
- The Thanjavur veena is a traditional Indian string instrument renowned for its distinctive design and craftsmanship.
- It comes in two primary forms: the “Ekantha Veena” and the “Sada Veena.” The Ekantha Veena is carved from a single wood block, whereas the Sada Veena is assembled from three separate pieces—resonator, neck, and head.
Construction Details
- This instrument is typically crafted from the wood of the Jack Fruit Tree. The wood undergoes extensive testing to ensure its quality before it is used in the making of a veena.
- The veena is adorned with 24 fixed frets, enabling musicians to play a wide range of ragas.
- Creating a veena involves meticulous processes including cutting, carving, and assembling the wood, which can take between 15 to 20 days to complete.
Types of Veena
- Varieties: The veena family includes several types, notably the Rudra veena and Vichitra veena, popular in Hindustani classical music, and the Saraswati veena and Chitra veena, which are staples in Carnatic music.
- Unique Craftsmanship: Thanjavur is the exclusive manufacturing hub for the Saraswati veena, an instrument often depicted with Saraswathi, the goddess of learning and arts.
-Source: The Hindu
