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The Journey of the Veena
A Tryst with the National Instrument
Artists
Ancient Sanskrit literature mentions the veena as the instrument used to accompany vedic chants, very much like the organ that was used in the Roman catholic church for the Gregorian chants. The earliest instruments used grass reeds and animal guts as strings for plucking and the joke is that the musicians still use “Grass”. As music developed from folk to classical, desi and Marg Sangeeth, as described in ancient texts like Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni of the 3rd Century AD, and later Sarangadeva of the 11th Century, the sophistication of playing techniques has advanced.
In today’s musical presentation , the audience will witness the use of hybrid electronic veenas as a part of this sophistication and progress, without watering down the gravity and authenticity of the musical form as described in voluminous texts on Indian classical music.
Artists:
Shanthi Rao and Neeraja Krishnamurthy :Veena
K.N.Uma Maheshwari :Keyboard
N.Vasudeva : Mridangam
Subba Rao : Ghatam
Supported by:
Artists
Shanthi Rao
Shanthi Rao has been a vibrant veena player judging from the critical acclaim she has received in the press for her renderings Travelling far and wide in countries like UK ,Germany, USA, Singapore, Malaysia etc, she was described as a cultural ambassador of India by the reputed journalist/statesman, Mr. Kuldeep Nayar.
Her veena has received special mention for tonal quality .Being familiar with both traditional and contemporary styles, she has received awards from The Madras Music Academy. The Bangalore Gayana Samaja, The Indian Fine Arts Society, participating in all avenues of Classical music in India and abroad, at the same time, exploring new age neo-classical styles in presentations at different community spaces. She is among the foremost maestros of the veena ,now a ‘Guru’ in her own right.
More about Shanthi on her website:-:https://shantirao.tripod.com/id1.html
Neeraja Krishnamurthy
K N Uma Maheshwari
N Vasudeva
