Saraswathi Veena Making
The strings are attached by the Veena-making artist. Seven metal strings are tied at the end of the resonator to a metallic clasp using metal rings. This helps the musician with accurate tuning. Brass and steel strings are then tied to these seven rings. Four strings pass upon the bridge among which two strings will be of brass and two of steel. Three strings pass over the curve bar adjacent to the bridge. The four main strings ascend into and are attached to the four pegs (Birugai), in the pegbox, which is at the end of the Veena neck. The other three strings are attached to the knobs (Kauji) on the sides of the neck. A mixture of beeswax, candle wax, benzoin resin (Sambrani) and charcoal powder is melted and kneaded/prepared into the dough. This dough is rolled into a thick long strip and fixed on the fingerboard as a base for the brass metal frets (Mettu Katti). 24 brass frets are attached to the fingerboard. The strings are attached to one side using small metal rings and tuning is checked. Finished Veena’s are painted with varnish to give an elegant look. Veena varies from one piece to the other. The instrument is then tested and sent to the market.
