SARASWATI VEENA -12

ELECTRIC GUITAR

ACOUSTIC GUITAR

If there was a clear distinction between acoustic and electric Veenas in the present day Carnatic music scenario I would not have posted Veena Sutras series about differences between acoustic (original Saraswati Veena) and electric Veena. The reason why I have been posting information regarding features that set apart the electric and acoustic Veenas is because they both are being passed off in the same bracket as Saraswati Veena today. With the recent advent of magnetic contact mike and the invasion of electric Veenas due to its popularity (for travel comfort, ease in playing and tonal advantage due to latest mike system) the identity of acoustic Veena is rather mixed up and unclear.   

Both electric as well as acoustic Veenas are put under the same category (with all the so-called vidwat sabhas turning a blind eye to this major error).

Fortunately for electric and acoustic guitars the structural features are distinctive, but in the case of electric and magnetic Veena it's not the same. They look alike in size, shape and structure. The acoustic- wood related properties are disconnected from the Veena only by attaching a magnetic mike to the Veena . Therefore the essential core and heart of Veena are crushed and destroyed. And the electric Veena is glamourised by mixer-mike sound levels and extremely easy to play as even the simplest of touches are magnified by the mike- system. Feather-touch technique is possible on electric Veena, whereas firm hands technique is what is required for an original acoustic Veena.

I feel duty bound to appreciate and applaud western musicians for their honesty and integrity in not placing electric and acoustic guitars under a common category called "guitar" just like how electric and acoustic veenas are being featured in the common category of "SARASWATI VEENA".