Bobbili Veena is a traditional large plucked string instrument with great importance and significance in the evolution of Carnatic Classical music. It is made up of seasoned Panasa wood (jackfruit) and has vibrant designs and colours in order to give a designer look. The origin of the Bobbili Veena can be traced back to 16th century to the days of the Bobbili Samasthanam.
Plastic white sheet with inlay works of art is pasted throughout the Veena. This acts as a border to the entire veena, giving an artistic look to the veena. Designs of flowers and leaves are inlayed on the main plastic sheet.
Image Credit : www.gitagged.com
Bobbili Veena is also known as Saraswathi Veena and the main parts of the Bobbili Veena are
- Kunda – main base of the veena, it is fixed at the front end of the Dandi
- Dandi – the frame that forms the length of the veena (fret board). There are 24 frets and all are made only of bell metal.
- Thumba – fixed at the end of the dandi which is opposite to the end to which the kunda is fixed (rear bottom end). It is prepared by drying an oval shaped ripe bottle gourd (sorakaya).
- Yali – fixed at the rear end, which is a scroll that is carved into an elaborate head of a mythical animal. In most of the veenas, the carving on the yali is the figure of a lion.
- Maruwa – made out of bell metal and strings run over the maruwa to the bridge and end in the kadiyam.
- Knobs – used for setting the rhythm and loosening the strings.
- Bridge plate – made of rose wood and helps to tie the strings.
- Ghanta – in the shape of bell is used to fixing the thumba to the dandi.
- Kadiyam – made out of brass is the end point where all seven strings are tied and given the strength
There four main and three ancillary strings. The first and second string are known as Sajammam and Pachammam and these are made out of Brass. Third and fourth strings are known as Mandaram and Anumandaram and made out of Steel. The side strings are called SA PA SA and also made out of steel with higher thickness.
The variants of Bobbili Veena are
- Ekandi – made out of single log wood
- Kamalam – yali is carved with the figure of the lotus
- Nemali – yali is carved with the figure of the peacock (mayuri)
- Swarna Mandal – peacock shaped miniature veenas as decorative art pieces or for the purpose of being given as gifts or mementos.
GI Tag Registration Date : 06 January 2012
GI Tag Number : 203
Certificate Number : 163
Geographical Area : Andhra Pradesh
Special Cover Release Date : 14 September 2021
Cancellation : Bobbili Bazar 535 573
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : AP/38/2021
Enlarged View of Illustration
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