The Veena Family

Regional Variations & Historical Forms

While "veena" commonly refers to the Saraswati veena in Carnatic music, the term encompasses a family of instruments with distinct construction, tuning, and playing techniques spanning the Indian subcontinent.

Saraswati Veena

South India • Carnatic

Primary Focus

The standard instrument of Carnatic music. Featuring 24 fixed frets, a pear-shaped wooden body (kudam), and seven strings. It is unique in being held horizontally or diagonally.

Strings: 4 + 3 | Resonators: 2 | Frets: 24 (Fixed)

Rudra Veena

North India • Dhrupad

The "Grandmother" of North Indian strings. Known for its deep, meditative bass sound. Consists of a long tubular body (dandi) and two large spherical gourds (tumbas). Played in the Vajrayana posture (diagonal).

Strings: 4 + 3 | Resonators: 2 (Large) | Frets: 24 (Movable/Wax)

Chitra Veena - Fretless slide instrument

Chitra Veena / Gottuvadhyam

Fretless Slide Veena

A fretless instrument played with a cylindrical slide (teflon/ebony) in the left hand, similar to a slide guitar. Allows for perfect intonation and vocal-like continuous slides (meend).

Strings: 6 + 3 + 12 (Sympathetic) | Frets: None | Technique: Slide

Modern Innovations

Electric Veena

Solid-body instruments with magnetic pickups. Solves amplification issues for large concerts but debated regarding tonal authenticity. Notable innovations by various makers.

Portable Veena

Demountable or collapsible designs for traveling artists. Focus on maintaining acoustic integrity while reducing size.