Vina (With Special Reference to Temples of Khajuraho)

Abstract

Epigraphical sources have great contribution in the reconstruction of history of Indian music. Khajuraho temples are famous for their erotic art. These temples also contain tremendous and marvelous sculptures of musical instruments. In this research paper, I would like to discuss the figures of musical instrument vina depicted on the walls of temples in context to other vina instruments in India. Stringed instruments in ancient times whether bowed, plucked or struck varieties, were commonly known as vina. The word vina seems to have been first used in the Vedas. Only later on the word vina came to be used to denote the fretted instrument. The modern vina before attaining its present form underwent a long process of development giving birth to different types of stringed instruments.