Mohan Veena
The Mohan Veena is a modified slide guitar adapted for Indian classical music, known for its rich, resonant tone and expressive melodic capabilities. It features a hollow wooden body with 20 strings, including melody, drone, and sympathetic strings, allowing for deep sustain and intricate microtonal slides (meend). Played with a metal slide, the Mohan Veena captures the nuances of both Hindustani and Western musical traditions, making it a versatile and captivating instrument.
The instrument was pioneered by Grammy Award-winning musician Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, who modified the Hawai’ian guitar in the 1960s to suit the demands of Indian ragas. By incorporating additional strings and enhancing its tonal depth, he created an instrument that seamlessly blends the soulful expressions of Indian classical music with the dynamic range of a slide guitar. His innovations have inspired many musicians, and the Mohan Veena is now recognized as a significant contribution to Indian classical music.
At the Darbar Festival in 2007, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt performed on the Mohan Veena, accompanied by Yogesh Samsi on the tabla, delivering a mesmerizing recital that showcased the instrument’s lyrical beauty and emotional depth. His performances continue to popularize the Mohan Veena globally, ensuring its place in both traditional and contemporary musical landscapes.
Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill, and inspire. Explore our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Darbar Player to watch extended festival performances, talks, and documentaries in pristine HD and UHD quality.
