Rudra Veena

Rudra Veena is a stringed instrument, which is made of teak wood, metal, pumpkin, and Bamboo. This traditional instrument is found in various parts of North India. Majorly used in Northern Indian classical music.

It is played with plectrums worn on the index and middle finger of the right hand. Side strings are plucked with the plectrum on the small finger. Left side of the drone strings is plucked with the plectrum on the small finger. The traditional posture to play Rudra veena was vajrasan or darbari baithak (veena placed diagonally, upper gourd rests on the left shoulder while the lower gourd is placed on the right thigh and the fingerboard is laid near the chest). Later, players invented a new posture to play it, known as sukhasan (veena placed half diagonally, upper gourd is placed on the right thigh while the lower gourd is placed on the floor and the fingerboard is placed away from the chest). Difficulty faced while playing Rudra Veena in the traditional posture was reduced by the new one.

The word veena is believed to have been derived from the word vana, a string instrument mentioned in the Rig Veda. Katyayana, a vedic priest, further uses vana in Atharva Veda to denote an instrument with hundred strings. Vana means to produce sound (shabda) and speed (gati). Therefore, Vana was considered to be the stringed instrument which gave birth to Veena.

It is believed that Rudra Veena was created by Lord Shiva as a tribute to the beauty of Goddess Parvati. This instrument, believed to be first played by Shiva himself, is said to have spiritual powers. It was believed that Rudra Veena was too heavy for a woman's frail shoulders. Thus, women were not allowed to play it. However, the modern era has witnessed a few female players as well.