Sandalwood Carved Sitar "The Royal Veena"

The Royal Veena 

The Royal Veena is one of the most famous and appreciated artwork piece of the Jangid family. It is one of the pieces that has won the family one of their many National and International Awards. The Jangid family is known especially for their sandalwood miniature carving. This exceptional piece is intricately carved with traditional motifs that have been passed from one generation to another, and something that they deeply honor. This sitar depicts the life story of Mian Tansen, who is famous for his skills as a musician. The sitar has many elements, it has dancing Ganesha and peacocks seated on both sides of the resonating chamber that is complimented by Sarswati carved on top of the veena. The goddess Saraswati is often depicted as a beautiful woman holding a veena, often seated on a lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge, and truth. The book she holds symbolizes the Vedas representing the universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge as well as all forms of learning.  The overall elements that are present in the Veena are three minor compartments and one major compartment. All these compartments open up using the tuning pegs of the veena demonstrating byzantine carving each staging a different story of Tansen’s life.