Celebrating the Iconic Veena Players of India: Top 10 Veena Players
For years, there have been artists who have proved to the country and the entire world the essence and beauty of traditional classical instruments such as the Veena. Today, in this Shiksha article, we will celebrate the journey and contribution to the traditional art of India and India’s legendary Veena artists. These artists have preserved and redefined the soul of classical music through their mastery, innovation, and deep-rooted tradition.
Celebrating the Iconic Veena Players of India: Top 10 Veena Players
If you are some who loves to explore ancient musical instruments and is fascinated with the sound of such instruments, it is time to explore the Veena. Veena is one of the oldest and most esteemed classical instruments of India. Like we say that an artist has no boundaries, just like that, even a musical instrument has no boundaries. Initially, the artist thinks that the instrument needs him/her, but once the deep love and connection develop with the instrument, it's the other way around.
The Veena instrument is known for its spiritual and soulful resonance. For centuries, various veena players dedicated years to preserving and that helped to maintain the Indian classical musical instruments such as Veena, Sitar, Tanpura, sarod, and sarangi. In this article, we will discuss some of the top 10 Veena artists in India who have taken the art of playing ancient instruments to another level, not just in India but worldwide as well.
- History of the Veena Instrument
- Types of Veena Instruments: Methods to Play
- What Are the Veena Playing Techniques?
- Top 10 Famous Veena Players In India
History of the Veena Instrument
Going back to the history of the Veena instrument, the veena description is there in the Rigveda and Samaveda, which dates back to the first millennium BCE. The actual meaning of ‘veena’ in Sanskrit refers to any plucked stringed instrument. As per the ancient texts, the form of the Veena was invented by the sage Narada. From the beginning of the 6th century CE, the Indian Goddess Saraswati is seen playing a veena. In the 10th and 11th centuries, the Veena instrument had 24 frets and 7 strings; however, in earlier times, the number of string count and size were not different. However, in today's time, there are modern innovations, where one can find digital veena and electric veena that come with built-in amplifiers along with electronic tamburas.
Types of Veena Instruments: Methods to Play
The veena comes in various traditional forms as a classical Indian string instrument, and each type has its own style and region as mentioned below:
- The Saraswati Veena (South India),
- Rudra Veena and Vichitra Veena (North India),
- Chitra Veena (or Gottuvadhyam).
These veenas vary in playing posture, construction, and even the sound characteristics can differ.
What Are the Veena Playing Techniques?
Playing the veena, one of India’s oldest classical instruments, involves a beautiful blend of precision, rhythm, and grace. Here are some key techniques used by veena players:
- Plucking: Using fingers or a plectrum such as Mettu or Tanam to create resonant sounds on the Veena strings.
- Sliding: Gliding between notes, also known as Meend, a smooth pressure through fingers for emotive melodies.
- Gamakas: It is s difficult oscillations and ornamentations through the Veena instrument to give depth to ragas.
- Left-Hand Fingering: In this, the Veena Artist presses and moves the frets through his/her left hand to change pitch and make variations.
- Right-Hand Rhythm: To master the rhythmic control, the Veena player uses tala patterns using nail plucking or picks.
- Posture and Hand Coordination: By maintaining a traditional way of a stable sitting position, along with synchronised hand movements for tonal clarity and expression is also an important technique of playing Veena instrument.
Also Read:
- Veena in Music colleges in India
- Music Course: Course, Admission 2025, Fees, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Job Profiles and Salary
Top 10 Famous Veena Players In India
Here are some of the most famous and renowned veena players in India, or you can say the devotees of the Veena instrument and this ancient classical art form.
1. Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh
Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh started her musical journey at the tender age of three and She is a sixth-generation veena maestro. Dr. Jayanthi Kumaresh has acquired a doctorate degree in veena history and founded the Indian National Orchestra, with over 35 years devoted to the Saraswati Veena. Her performances bringing global recognition to the instrument are celebrated across country due the depth and innovation she have as a Veena Player.
2. Ustad Asad Ali Khan
Ustad Asad Ali Khan comes from the Jaipur Beenkar gharana, and he is one of the last great masters of the Rudra Veena. He is not only known for his in-depth knowledge at the University of Delhi but also for his deep, meditative renditions in the dhrupad style. He has left a legacy in Hindustani classical music with years of dedication and devotion.
3. Ustad Bahauddin Dagar
He is a 20th-generation instrumentalist from the renowned Dagar family. Ustad Bahauddin Dagar is known for his known for dedication towards the Dagarvani dhrupad tradition, the meditative and spiritual depth in his music and his mesmerising performances. His performances have captured his fans worldwide as a leading Rudra Veena player.
4. Asit Kumar Banerjee
Asit Kumar Banerjee is a famous Rudra Veena maestro. He is a disciple of Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and is known for his meditative dhrupad style and his graceful stage performances both in India and outside India. He contributed immensely to preserving this ancient art form of playing the Veena instrument.
5. Prince Aswathi Thirunal Rama Varma
Prince Rama Varma is a veena artist and vocalist trained under maestros like Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. Prince Rama Varma's international performances, refined technique made him a renowned and respected Veena instrumentalist in the world of Indian classical music. He is the descendant of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal.
6. Kalpakam Swaminathan
Kalpakam Swaminathan was an authority on Muthuswami Dikshitar's compositions, renowned for her adherence to the Thanjavur baani. She taught at Kalakshetra and the Tamil Nadu Government Music College, mentoring many prominent artists and leaving an indelible mark on Carnatic music.
7. Nirmala Rajasekar
When you invest in artists, it is the most beautiful teaching a human can give, because it can become a medium of connecting through the divine. Nirmala Rajasekar is a passionate vocalist and a renowned Carnatic veena player. She has performed globally, including at Carnegie Hall and the United Nations. She is known for her amazing tone and dedication to music education, She continues to inspire her listeners and students on various occasions and performances.
8. Jyoti Hegde
Jyoti Hegde is one of the few gems of India because she is a renowned female Rudra Veena player. She started learning the Sitar initially, but then at the age of 12, she started mastering the art of the Veena. She has also dedicated years to mastering the dhrupad tradition and performed internationally, which has brought her and the country priceless acclaim.
9. Jeyaraaj & Jaysri
The duo is mastered in the Dikshitar parampara, Jeyaraaj and Jaysri. They are known for their original renditions of Muthuswami Dikshitar's compositions. Jeyaraaj and Jaysri have performed on endless platforms that show their dedication and determination to preserve the traditional veena music along with their teachings.
10. Raghunath Manet
Raghunath Manet is an excellent Veena player who comes from Pondicherry. He is a versatile artist who has mastered both as a veena player and a Bharatanatyam dancer. He collaborated with various international artists and was honoured by the Chevalier Award by the French government, highlighting his international influence on Indian classical arts.
Students or budding artists who are looking for music courses or instrumental courses should go through the top music colleges in India to get a professional degree to pursue in-depth knowledge related to their art form. This will help them explore new skills and knowledge to further help them grow as an artist.
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