Thanjavur Veenai, also known as Raghunatha Nayaka Mela Veena, is a type of veena, a traditional Indian string instrument, that is made in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is considered to be one of the finest types of veena, and is known for its rich, mellow sound.
The Thanjavur Veenai is about 4 feet long and has a hollow body made of jackfruit wood. It has two large resonating gourds at the bottom of the body, and a long neck with 24 fixed frets. The instrument has four main strings, which are played with the right hand, and three auxiliary drone strings, which are played with the left hand.
The Thanjavur Veenai is used to play a wide variety of Indian classical music, including Carnatic music and Hindustani music. It is also used to play folk music and devotional music.
Some of the famous Thanjavur Veenai players include:
- Saraswati Rajam
- Gayathri
- Ramani
- Balachander
- S. Narayanan
The Thanjavur Veenai is a highly respected and revered instrument in Indian culture. It is often depicted in Hindu religious art and literature, and is considered to be the instrument of the goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and music.
The Thanjavur Veenai was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2012. This means that only veenas made in the Thanjavur district can be called Thanjavur Veenai.
The Thanjavur Veenai is a unique and beautiful instrument that is an important part of Indian culture. It is known for its rich sound and its ability to produce a wide range of musical expressions.
Some interesting new facts about the Thanjavur Veenai:
- The Thanjavur Veenai is the first musical instrument in India to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag : This means that only veenas made in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu can be called Thanjavur Veenai.
- The Thanjavur Veenai is believed to have been invented by the Nayak king Raghunatha Nayaka (1600-1634): He was a great patron of music and dance, and he is credited with refining the design of the veena and making it the instrument that we know today.
- The Thanjavur Veenai is a very versatile instrument : It can be used to play a wide variety of musical genres, including Carnatic music, Hindustani music, folk music, and devotional music.
- The Thanjavur Veenai is also a very popular instrument in film music : It has been used in many famous Indian films, such as “Devdas” (2002), “Lagaan” (2001), and “Paa” (2009).
- The Thanjavur Veenai is a status symbol in India: It is often given as a gift to dignitaries and foreign heads of state.
Why is it given a GI Tag?
The Thanjavur Veenai is special for a number of reasons:
First, it is one of the oldest and most revered musical instruments in India. It is believed to have been invented over 5,000 years ago, and it has been mentioned in many ancient Hindu texts.
Second, the Thanjavur Veenai is known for its rich, mellow sound. This is due to the unique type of wood that is used to make the instrument, as well as the craftsmanship of the artisans who make it.
Third, the Thanjavur Veenai is a very versatile instrument. It can be used to play a wide variety of musical genres, including Carnatic music, Hindustani music, folk music, and devotional music.
The Thanjavur Veenai was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2012. This means that only veenas made in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu can be called Thanjavur Veenai. The GI tag was awarded to the Thanjavur Veenai because of its unique qualities, which are due to the specific geographical region in which it is made.
The GI tag is important for the Thanjavur Veenai because it protects the reputation of the instrument and prevents it from being counterfeited. It also helps to promote the Thanjavur Veenai and its makers, and it ensures that the traditional skills involved in making the instrument are preserved.
The Thanjavur Veenai is a truly special instrument. It is a symbol of Indian culture and heritage, and it is still being used to create beautiful music today.
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