Veena
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The veena, also spelled vina, is any of various chordophone instruments from the Indian subcontinent. Ancient musical instruments evolved into many variations, such as lutes, zithers and arched harps.
Plaque with a dancer and a veena (harp) player 1st century B.C.
India, ca. 450-490 CE, Ajanta Caves. A Kinnara holding a lute-type veena, possibly a kacchapī veena (Sanskrit for "tortoise veena"). No description survives to go with name.
Embekka Devalaya temple, Sri Lanka. A Kinnari holds an ālāpīni vīnī, a type of stick-zither with a half gourd used for the resonator.
Coin ca. 335-380 CE. (Front side) Samudragupta seated left on a low couch or throne, playing veena set on his knees. (Reverse side) Lakshmi seated left on wicker stool, holding diadem and cornucopia.
Saraswati veena
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The Sarasvatī vīṇa is an ancient Indian plucked veena. It is named after the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who is usually depicted holding or playing the instrument. Also known as raghunatha veena, it is u
Veena
…evolved into many variations, such as lutes, zithers and arched harps. The many regional designs have different names such as the Rudra veena, the Saraswati veena, the Vichitra veena and others. The North Indian rudra veena, used in Hindustani classical music, is a stick zither. About 3.5 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2…
Tuning Pegs (Kunti) of Saraswati Veena
Close up of a veena being played.
Goddess Saraswati depicted playing the veena
Electric veena