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Ektara
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There are various types of ektara, meaning 'one-stringed'. Some are plucked and others are played with a bow. Allied to the ektara is the
dotara, which has two strings.
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Veena
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The veena is a very ancient instrument dating back, in a less developed form, to Vedic times. It is associated with the Goddess
Saraswati, the deity of learning and the fine arts. Though more popular in Karnatic music, the veena is also used in the
North. There are twenty-four fixed frets on a hollow wooden fingerboard, which is attached
to
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two gourds, one, larger than the other.
Of the seven strings, which pass over the ivory bridge, four carry the melody while the other three side strings are used for rhythm and to provide the
drone. The veena is played either horizontally resting on the two
gourds, or the smaller gourd is rested on the left knee of the
seated player. Occasionally, the fingerboard slopes diagonally
across the player's body so that the smaller gourd is over the left
shoulder. The strings are plucked with either one or two fingers,
each with a plectrum. |
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