Learn to Play Veena with Sahana S.V
Get a taste of musical wonders of Veena with Sahana in this beginner session
Join us for an inspiring online taster session with the talented veena player SV Sahana, offering beginners a unique opportunity to explore the serene and majestic sound of this ancient South Indian instrument.
Whether you’re completely new to the veena or simply curious about delving into the world of Carnatic classical music, this introductory workshop welcomes all enthusiasts with no prior experience necessary.
Sahana will guide participants through the fundamentals of veena playing, including proper sitting posture, hand positioning, basic plucking techniques, and the production of melodious notes, whilst sharing insights into the instrument’s revered place in Indian classical tradition.
This taster session provides the perfect introduction for those considering enrolling in the full beginner’s course, offering a glimpse into Sahana’s patient teaching style and the veena’s rich, contemplative tonal character. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from an accomplished musician and discover the timeless beauty of the veena’s meditative voice.
About the Artist
SV Sahana is a distinguished veena player whose performances are characterised by their graceful musicality and deep reverence for the Carnatic classical tradition.
Trained under eminent gurus in the rich lineage of veena playing, Sahana has developed a refined technique that showcases the instrument’s full expressive range, from delicate gamakas to powerful jarus.
Her concerts demonstrate a profound understanding of ragas and their emotional landscapes, captivating audiences with performances that balance technical precision with soulful interpretation.
The veena, often regarded as the queen of Indian instruments, finds an eloquent voice through Sahana’s artistry, as she brings centuries-old compositions to life with contemporary sensitivity. As a dedicated teacher, Sahana is committed to preserving and sharing the sacred art of veena playing, guiding students with warmth, expertise, and an unwavering passion for this noble instrument. Her contribution to Carnatic music continues to inspire both listeners and aspiring musicians alike.
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Ramana Balachandran | Full Concert
Recorded at Darbar Festival 2022, on 13th October, at Milton Court, Barbican, London. Musicians: - Ramana Balachandran (Veena) - Patri Satish Kumar (Mridangam) Fast gaining worldwide critical acclaim, the talented musician is known for his ability to deliver with phrasal clarity while delving deep into the recesses and quiet spaces between microtones or notes. Hearing him play is like attending a crash course in interpreting raga music – at times pensive and intense, and at times shining with the levity of youth. The sum of his unconventional path through life includes his father’s decision to homeschool him for several years because as he wanted his son to have a more richly varied life filled with travel, exposure and artistic immersion – and many of the joys (as well as unique challenges) that come with the territory as a a child prodigy in Indian classical music. Yet what Balachandhran plays is more than the sum of one life journey alone. It is a sort of primal – Jungian collective unconscious, if you will – call back to time immemorial that stirs something deep within the soul. Balachandhran’s veena is deliberate and contemplative, taking listeners on a meditative journey. Opening with Ragam Thanam Pallavi in Raga Kapi, he puts his full gamut of dexterous skill on display, improvising and vocalising in a way that is both free and pure, but also demonstrative of conscious musical restraint and hard-won mastery. That he chooses the Ragam Thanam Pallavi structure to draw his audience in is telling, as it allows him to use the framework to build in a textured exploration of elaborate complexity, rhythmic variety and spirited renditions. The exploration of the raag invokes a sense of serenity amid the audience, and the refrains he lays sparkle like shimmering breadcrumbs in the air, poised to be picked up again later when they coalesce in the culmination of the raag. His co-musician, Patri Satish Kumar, is like a supportive best friend. Though many years apart in age, both exude a comfort and camaraderie together on stage – chemistry nurtured through their association, especially while traveling and living together for the festival.