Bobbili Veena likely to be presented to G-20 delegates

Source: The post is based on the article “Bobbili Veena likely to be presented to G-20 delegates” published in The New Indian Express on 12th March 2023.

What is the News?

The Andhra Pradesh government is preparing to present the replicas of Bobbili Veena as part of their cultural exchange to the delegates of G-20 conference.

What is Bobbili Veena?

Bobbili veena, also known as ‘Saraswati veena,’ is a large plucked string instrument used in Carnatic classical music.

History: The making of the veena began in the 17th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, the king of Bobbili Samsthanam who was a great patron of music.

Location: The home of the Bobbili veena is the town of Bobbili, about 120km from Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Salient features:

-Bobbili veena is made from a single piece of jackwood tree, unlike other veena which are made by joining two pieces of wood. Hence, it is also called as ‘ekanda veena’.

-It is famed for its fine-tune and distinctive notes.

-The artisans have made the veenas by using elephant tusks, stag horns and strings to get ‘Sapta Swaras’ during Bobbili Raja’s regime. Now, they are replaced the elephant tusks and stag horns with plastic material imported from Mumbai.

Significance: It earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2012 for its unique design and high-quality craftsmanship.

Threats: These include a) the emergence of electronic music instruments and digital sound systems, b) the lack of skilled artisans, as only 40 families are there to make these veenas at present.