D'source Design Gallery on Bridge Making of Veena

Design Gallery

Bridge Making of Veena

Traditional and Classical Musical Instrument

Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Shruti K. and Vijay G.

Wood is carved/cut in the shape of a bridge.
Bee wax is heated to melt.
The melted wax is applied on the wooden bridge.
A flat brass bar is fixed on the bridge with help of bee wax.
Excess of wax is removed with the help of chisel.
The brass bar is again heated to fix it on the wax.
The heated brass piece is placed on the wax to fix firmly.
Excess edge of the brass piece is cut.
The brass bar is filed/polished to refine the edges.
Measurements are taken to place the bridge on the veena at a precise place.
Adhesive and wood husk is applied underneath the bridge piece.
The bridge is fixed to the veena.

Wood is carved/cut in the shape of a bridge.	Bee wax is heated to melt.	The melted wax is applied on the wooden bridge.	A flat brass bar is fixed on the bridge with help of bee wax.	Excess of wax is removed with the help of chisel.	The brass bar is again heated to fix it on the wax.
The heated brass piece is placed on the wax to fix firmly.	Excess edge of the brass piece is cut.	The brass bar is filed/polished to refine the edges.	Measurements are taken to place the bridge on the veena at a precise place.	Adhesive and wood husk is applied underneath the bridge piece.	The bridge is fixed to the veena.

Veena is a traditional and classical musical instrument of India. Veena symbolizes the art and culture of traditional India. Music and dance play a vital role in the cultural life of Tamil Nadu; Veena Playing is one among them. Hence, veena making has become major craft of Thanjavur.

The main part of veena is the bridge. Wood is carved in the shape of bridge. Aarak (lacquer) is melted and applied on the wooden bridge on which a flat bar of brass is fixed. Holes are drilled on either of the bridges leg. Saw powder and adhesive are put in the holes and a small piece wood is fixed in the whole. The wooden bridge is fixed in the middle of the resonator. A slightly curved brass bar is fixed adjacent to the bridge, which gives the veena its characteristic sound. The strings are fixed to the veena, passing over these brass bars.

For more details: http://www.dsource.in/resource/saraswathi-veena-making