The veena is one of the oldest and most revered instruments of India, mentioned as far back as the ancient sacred texts. It is a plucked lute with a large body, a long fretted neck, and an additional gourd resonator; there are several varieties, the most famous being the Saraswati veena of South India.
The veena has a deep spiritual meaning: it is an attribute of Saraswati — the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts — and so is considered a symbol of learning and harmony. In South Indian classical music (Carnatic) the veena is a central solo instrument, able to render subtly the complex ragas with their characteristic string “bends.” Its rich, resonant, contemplative voice embodies the spiritual depth and millennia-old wisdom of the Indian musical tradition.
