RUDRA VINA

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Rudra Vina

The Rudra-Vina is a very old instrument around which many legends of magic powers have developped. Unfortunately it is no longer available in a good quality, as the experienced instrument makers (mostly family businesses with carefully guarded secrets of their art) are gradually dying out and even well-known manufacturers do not take the risk of producing this instrument. Due to the low demand there is not a lot of experience of how to make it anymore. Also most of the instrument makers refuse making a Rudra-Vina because they believe it is bad luck to do so.

Many of the well-known stringed instruments of today come from the Rudra Vina. In the northern Indian tradition it was regarded as the noblest solo instrument for centuries. Playing technique and repertoire as well as the art of making it were carefully guarded family secrets. Because of the very exclusive character of the Rudra Vina, its difficult playing technique and its very low, highly introvert sound character, it is almost extinct nowadays.

The Rudra-Vina has a long wooden resonance tube. This carries a bridge, frets and pegs. Attached to the tube are two large pumpkin resonators that serve as sound amplifiers. One of the resonators is put on the left shoulder in the traditional playing posture. The player holds the tube diagonally in front of himself and sits between the two pumpkins. The four playing strings are fingered and pulled sideways like in the case of the Sitar. They are plucked with changing strokes of right index and middle finger. Both these fingers have a wire pick. The Rudra-Vina does not have any resonant strings.

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TARANG offers on principle only high-qualtiy musical instruments. This is made possible by close personal contact to the suppliers and a strict selection of the instruments that are included in our range of goods. We do not offer any instruments which reach the west from unknown sources via importers and which are often resold by middlemen without any quality check and setting of the instrument. The demand from the west is relatively high in India. The purchase prices are negotiated to the lowest limit by the western countries, especially for high ordered quantities. This has effects on the required care and circumspection in craftsmanship, on the experience and mentality of the commissioned manufacturer and the use of parts of the instruments that are often of a poor qualtity. Irrespective of the qualification of the skill in craftsmanship, this leads, in some cases, to results that do not deserve the name instrument. Thus it is easily comprehensible that it is essential, when bying an Indian instrument, to know the sources. TARANG only supplies instruments from indisputable sources. All instruments are delivered adjusted and ready to be played.

Of course, we understand that somebody who purchases an instrument is also dependent on accessories and spare parts. Also in this respect we can satisfy the needs of our customers. Should an instrument be defective at any time, we can arrange for appropriate restoration. As a rule we can deliver any instrument offered on our website within 1 - 2 weeks. Our international lists of teachers enable everybody to find information about a teacher in their proximity. You can expect from us: reasonable prices, prompt service and straightforward processing of purchase and delivery.

The financial aspect also has to be mentioned. Despite the high quality we offer, we also do our best to offer you these instruments at very competitive and reasonable prices.