Instruments Flashcards
Veenai, Violin, Tambura, and Mirudingam
What is the Veenai?
Veenai often regarded as the queen of Indian musical instruments is a plucked string instrument that spans for 3 octaves. It features 4 strings for the melody, and 3 additional strings for the sruthi and tala. Veenai consists of many parts including a Dandi, resonator, and 24 frets made of bronze or steel. To adjust the sruthi you move the circular pieces located on the string, if you move it closer to the Nagapasm the sruthi increases, vice versa. To play, you use your right index and middle finger to pluck the strings and left hand to play, performers use a clip called Nell to aid their plucking. Famous veenai player is Veenai Kuppayar.
What is the Violin?
Violin is an ancient string instrument originally called the fiddle. It is in great importance to both Carnatic and Hindustani music. It developed in Europe 300 years ago, and is made of several types of wood including Maple and Ebony. Some notable violinists that popularized the instrument is Balaswami Dikshitar and Vadevellu Pillai who recieved an ivory violin from Swati Tirunal in 1834. It consists of external parts like the neck and fingerboard and internal parts like the sound post. To play you move the bow over the strings, the left hand is typically used for finger placement and the right hand to hold the bow. Some notable violinists is Mysore Chadia.
What is the Tambura?
Tambura is a classical string instrument used as sruthi in many Carnatic music concerts. Originated from India, the Tambura is also referred to as Tambouri and Tambour. The body called Kudam is globe like and made from jackwood and the wooden neck called Dandi, with 4 tuning pegs at the top. The 4 strings on a Tambura are tuned to specific notes, Panchamam, Sarani, Anusarani and Mandram. To play you hold the Tambura upright, and place the Kudam on you right thigh. You then use your fingers to pluck the strings from left to right to create a harmonious sound. Sometimes, musicians use 2 Tamburas (Jodi Tambura) or combine it with a struthi box for enhanced song.
What is the Mridingam?
The Mrindigam is a classical percussion instrument that is essential to Carnatic music, used widely in dances and music concerts. The name “Mirdingam” translates directly to “clay body” reflecting on it’s orginal construction from clay. The Mridingam features a wooden body made from jackwood and 2 heads on either end made from skin. The right had called Valanthali has 3 concentric layers while the left head as 2 concentric layers tuned to specific notes. To play, you use both hands displaying creativity and rythm. A notable Mridingam player is Narayansami Appa.
