Author Question: Describe the veena. What will be an ideal response? ... (Read 54 times)

sarasara · **on:** Jul 25, 2018

Describe the veena.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Briefly discuss the musical training of Ranganayaki Rajagopalan (veena player in Sarasiruha (To the Goddess Saraswati).

What will be an ideal response?

brittanywood · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A veena is a plucked string instrument with seven stringsthree drone strings and four playing strings (for playing melodies). The brass frets are set in black wax, which is scalloped to allow room for the fingers to bend the strings and ornament the notes.

Answer to Question 2

As a four-year old child she was discovered to be naturally talented by a veena virtuoso (Karaikudi Sambasiva Iyer) who took her into his home as his pupil in the traditional musical apprenticeship (gurukula system). She did not have a normal childhood, but practiced daily under her master and was subjected to years of rigorous training. (She called it devil's practice.) By age twelve she was accompanying her guru on the concert stage and giving solo recitals as well. She is admired as a musician's musician and considered one of the great veena virtuosi of her time.