Andhra Pradesh also has a tradition of veena making in a place called Bobbili in the present Vizianagaram district from where the instrument derived its name — Bobbili veena. Bobbili is a place of historical importance as it was once upon a time a princely State and was ruled by kings. The rajas of Bobbili were also patrons of the fine arts. They encouraged veena making and in those days, Bobbili produced great musicians and vainikas (veena players). The instrument is about 1.5 m long and is made, traditionally from jackfruit wood. It has a fairly large and round, pumpkin-shaped sound producing box called the kudam with a thick, wide finger-board, the end of which is carved into the head of a dragon-like mythological animal called Yali.There are around 30 families in a small village called Gollapalli (near Bobbili), dependent on making this musical instrument for their livelihood.
No comments:
Post a Comment