The instrument and its lineage

The Saraswati Veena, the form taught in South Indian classical music, is named after the goddess of music and learning. It has four playing strings, three drone (tala) strings, 24 frets, and a single hand-carved jackfruit-wood body with a tumba resonator. Its tone has been described as the closest instrument to the human voice.

How a class is structured

Lessons begin with posture (the Veena is played seated, the instrument resting at an angle), basic mizrab (plectrum) technique on the fingers, and the Sarali Varisai exercises also used in Carnatic vocal training. From there: alankaras, geethams, varnams, kritis, and finally manodharma, improvisation on the strings.

Sitar and Tanpura at Kairali

Sitar (the North Indian classical string instrument) and Tanpura (the drone reference instrument used in every Indian classical concert) are also taught at Kairali alongside Veena, for students who want a complete Indian string vocabulary.