Highlights
1. Sitar and Veena are both stringed instruments of India, but they have different styles of playing and are used in different types of music (Carnatic music for Veena and Hindustani music for Sitar).
2. Veena is a plucked stringed instrument that comes in different variations, while Sitar has developed from Persian lutes and has two bridges for different types of strings.
3. Veena is associated with the Goddess of Learning, Saraswati, and has a long history in Sanskrit works, making it older in terms of its use compared to Sitar.
Introduction
Sitar and Veena are both stringed instruments of India, but they have differences in their making and style of play. The veena is primarily used in Carnatic music recitals, while the sitar is mostly used in Hindustani music recitals. Both instruments have a long hollow neck and a gourd resonating chamber. The sitar is widely used in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and gained worldwide recognition through Pandit Ravi Shankar.
Veena
The veena is also known as rudra veena, saraswati veena, or raghunatha veena. It is a plucked stringed instrument and has different variations in its making. A person who plays the veena is called a vainika. Stalwarts like Chittibabu, Dhanammal, Emani Shankara Sastri, and Mysore Doreswamy Iyengar have contributed to the popularity of the veena in the West.
The veena is about 4 feet in length and consists of a resonator or kudam and a tapering hollow neck similar to a sitar. The top board of the resonator is decorated with two rosettes, which used to be made of ivory but are now made of plastic. There are seven steel strings used in a veena.
Sitar
The sitar is also a plucked stringed instrument that has its origins in the 13th century. It can be traced back to the tritantri veena and the sitar-like Tampura in the court of Tansen during the Mughal period. Notable sitar artists include Vilayat Khan, Sharif Khan, Rais Khan, and Balram Pathak.
The sitar has two bridges, a large bridge called badaa goraa for playing and drone strings, and a small bridge called chota goraa for the sympathetic strings. The length of the string causes variations in tones when it reverberates.
The sitar is held between the player’s left foot and right knee, allowing for freedom of movement. Holding a sitar is different from holding a veena while playing.
Veena is associated with the Goddess of Learning, Saraswati, and is mentioned in Sanskrit works like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, making it older than the sitar in terms of its use.
