Numerous strings in my lute
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N. Rajendran presents his veenas with the flourish of a jeweller, carefully lining up the handcrafted string instruments against the wall of his drawing room in Thanjavur with the ‘kudam’ (resonator) resting on doughnut-shaped cushions on the floor.
It’s been raining heavily, and there’s no electricity in Rajendran’s locality. A small candle is holding on bravely. The flickering flame picks up Rajendran’s workmanship as he removes the red canvas covering of the instruments. The strings seem to respond automatically to his touch as he takes off the wooden slat protecting the fingerboard.
Thanjavur veena maker replicates ‘Mayuri Yaazh’
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January 07, 2021 13:12 IST
The intricate engraving to shape the peacock base was the toughest part of the project, said veena maker N. Rajendran.
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Veena artisan N. Rajendran with his handcrafted instrument Mayuri Yaazh seen in Thanjavur. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The intricate engraving to shape the peacock base was the toughest part of the project, said veena maker N. Rajendran. A veena maker of Thanjavur, N. Rajendran, has made a replica of the ‘Mayuri Yaazh’, an ancient open-stringed harp of Tamil music whose resonator base is shaped like a peacock. Though the instrument was made for a private collector in Karur as an ornamental showpiece, Mr. Rajendran is confident that interest will be revived in the now rarely used Yaazh.