One of the oldest and traditional musical instruments in the world is ‘Veena’. It is dying a slow death. The instrument is an integral part of the rich Carnatic music. Popularly known as Veena, Veenai bears relics to the rich religious and cultural history of the place.
The traditional instrument of Veenai plays an important role in the rich and unique musical history of Tamil Nadu. Veenai is popularly referred to as Yaazh among the local indigenous population of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
According to mythological legends, Goddess Saraswati is always seen to play musical. It is considered to be a part of the celestial world because of its association with Goddess Saraswati.
The trained performers play the indigenous musical instrument of Veenai with great enthusiasm and vigor which is reflected in their flawless performance. The musical instrument of Veenai is an essential part of the social, cultural and religious festivals of Tamil nadu.
Vanika Jayanthi Kumaresh Enlivening The Traditional Veena
In the midst of the cultural revolution on not only veena but many traditional instruments like thavil, Vanika Jayanthi Kumaresh is intent on reviving it. If you thought the veena needs different accompaniments to sound good, she has just proved you wrong with her album, Mysterious Duality – Just me.
Music lovers, connoisseurs and well-wishers of Jayanthi Kumaresh, all had gathered at TAG Centre, Mylapore, where the album was officially launched. “Some time back, she had sent one of her CDs to a foreigner on request. After listening to it, the foreigner responded saying, ‘I like the music, but I couldn’t figure out which is the sound of the veena’. That is when she realised the status of veena and the need to do something to promote it,” said Jayanthi. What is unbelivable is that she took just 10 days to compose all four streams.
Each track comprises different layers and every layer has the music of a different veena. Totally, seven veenas have been used to make each track of this album. “Though we’ve a single mind, there’re so many thoughts popping out each second that we are not the same soul throughout a day. So the different layers of music represent different levels of our mind. It’s the voice of the human mind,” she said.
In the below space a video of Jayanthi Kumaresh giving a veena performance
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