The Saraswati Veena · Carnatic Strings · India's National Instrument
Often called India's national instrument, the Veena is one of the oldest stringed instruments in the world, and the bridge between Carnatic vocal music and instrumental performance. At Kairali, Syamili Krishnan V teaches Saraswati Veena from posture and mizrab technique through to advanced gamaka rendering on the strings.
The Instrument
The Saraswati Veena is the principal stringed instrument of the Carnatic tradition. Played seated, plucked with metal mizrabs on the right hand while the left hand presses and pulls strings against the frets to produce melody, the Veena is uniquely capable of replicating the human voice, including the microtonal gamaka ornaments that give Carnatic music its identity.
Suited especially to students who already train in Carnatic vocal, the Veena deepens raga understanding by forcing the player to produce gamakas on string, which builds an extraordinarily refined ear for pitch and ornament.
Curriculum
Faculty
M.A. (Music), Kannur University · B.A. (Music), Sree Swathi Thirunal College, University of Kerala. Carnatic vocalist, Veena instructor, performance & competition trainer.
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Carnatic Vocal & Veena Instructor
Carnatic Vocal · Veena · Voice Culture · Raga Development
Professionally trained Carnatic musician: M.A. (Music) Kannur University and B.A. (Music) Sree Swathi Thirunal College, University of Kerala. Voice culture, shruthi alignment, raga development.
Read full profile →Read also
Shruthi · Swara · Ragam · Thalam · Gamaka · the Trinity, taught Sarali to Manodharma.
An interactive comparison, scales vs ragas, harmony vs gamaka, fixed vs relative pitch.
The full programme overview, every class, faculty member, and stage Kairali offers.
