Thanjavur Veenai

The Thanjavur Veenai is a classical Saraswati veena hand-crafted in Thanjavur, a stringed instrument central to Carnatic music and renowned for its deep, resonant and sweet tone. It is traditionally carved from a single piece of well-seasoned jackwood, from which the rounded resonator, the long neck with its curved dragon-head yali, the frets and the pegbox are shaped, then fitted with brass frets set in wax and strung with metal strings. The 'ekanda' veena, made entirely from one log, is especially prized, and the tonal quality depends on the woodworker's skill in hollowing and proportioning the body. Thanjavur's status as the cultural capital of Carnatic music made it the pre-eminent centre for veena making, a craft handed down through artisan families. Each instrument is a marriage of fine woodworking and musical acoustics, sustaining a small community of makers who serve musicians across the world.