Veenai

The traditional musical instrument of Veenai is an integral part of the rich Carnatic music in Thanjavur. Popularly known as Veena, Veenai bears relics to the rich religious and cultural history of the place. According to mythological legends, Goddess Saraswati is always seen to play musical instrument of Veena.

Veena has been compared to human body. The human back-bone (Spinal Chord) stands straight from the Mooladhara (the seat of the body) up to the head.In the top of the head exists the Brahma Randhra. Just like the 24 frets of the Veena, human back bone has 24 divisions.

According to the anatomy, the back bone has 7 cervicles, 12 thorasic and 5 lumbar vertibrays.In Veena the distance between each fret is broad in the lower octaves and becomes less while proceeding towards the higher octaves.Similarly the back bone is thick at the Mooladhara and the distance between each ring becomes less while proceeding towards the Brahma randhra.The Mandara Sthaayi Swara starts from the seat point of the human
back bone and as it proceeds towards the Brahma Randhram situated in the Sahasraram, the pitch or sruti increases. It is here, where the life of music is situated.The nada born out of the union of prana (life) and agni (fire) starts from the Mooladhaara at low sruti and reaches the Sahasrakamala crossing the Swaadhisthana, Manipoora, Anaahata, Visuddha, Aagna, the Shadchakras. In this course the sruti (pitch) increases.This shows the resemblance between the Daivi Veena and man made Veena. So it is definite that to attain Moksha nada yoga is a correct path, and for practising nada yoga Veena is an appropriate instrument. Saarngadeva has pointed out, each part of Veena is an abode for a
particular deity.