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Veena
Classes

What is Veena?

The veena is one of the oldest musical instruments, associated with Saraswati – the Goddess of knowledge, art and learning. References to the veena go back to the Vedic times, where it is mentioned as one of  the three principal instruments along with venu (flute) and mridangam.
 

As one of the oldest string instruments in Indian classical music, the veena has gone through several modifications over the centuries. Govinda Dikshitar, a royal musician in the Tanjore court, introduced 24 fixed frets in the veena, and Carnatic music owes much of its structure to this innovation as it paved the way for the development of the 72 melakartas scheme in the classification of ragas.

The current form is attributed to Raghunath Nayak (17th century) of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It is a complete instrument, its mellow tones seamlessly blending shruti (music), laya (rhythm) and sahitya (lyrics of carnatic music).
​
Music veterans often say that a vocalist should acquire the art of playing the Veena if he or she were to become proficient in understanding the positions of the notes and the difference in shrutis, and to gain a better understanding of the science and aesthetics of Carnatic music. Several vocal musicians including M S Subbulakshmi, T N Seshagopalan and Bombay Jayashri Ramnath, play the Veena as well.  

Our Veena Tutor

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Dr. Manjula Surendra

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Contact Us

Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society
2A Starlight Road, Singapore 217755
​TEL: +65 6299 5929
​FAX: +65 6295 1238
Media and partnership contact details: 
[email protected]

Academy related matters: 
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[email protected]

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​Copyright of SIFAS 2023.
  • Home
  • SIFAS is Moving
  • About us
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Our History
    • Governance >
      • Charity Transparency Award 2024
    • Board of Advisors
    • Trustees & Patrons
    • Management Committee
    • Executive Team
    • Get Involved >
      • Membership >
        • Life Members List
      • Careers
      • Support Us
  • SIFAS Academy
    • Courses offered
    • Our Faculty
    • Admissions & Fees
    • Rules & Regulations
    • Examinations
    • Academy Day
    • Student Programmes
    • Digital Productions >
      • Soul of Thani >
        • Dhruva Tala
        • Matya Tala
        • Rupaka Tala
        • Jhampa Tala
        • Triputa Tala
        • Ata Tala
        • Eka Tala
        • Reviews
    • SIFAS Calendar 2025
  • SIFAS Productions Company
    • Executive Team
    • Programmes
    • Original Productions
    • Visiting Artistes
  • Forms
  • Facilities
  • Contact
    • SIFAS APP Privacy Policy
  • MEMBER LOGIN
  • SIFAS Festival of Arts 2024