Kinnari vina

The kinnari vina (Sanskrit: किन्नरी वीणा) is a historical veena, a tube zither with gourds attached to act as resonators and frets. It was played in India into the late 19th century and was documented by two European artists. The instrument dates back into medieval times (documented in the 13th century) and possibly as far back as 500 C.E. It is closely related to the Alapini Vina and Eka-tantri Vina, the instruments having coexisted in medieval times.

Along with the alapini vina and eka-tantri vina, the kinnari vina was mentioned by Śārṅgadeva in his Sangita Ratnakara (written 1210 - 1247 C.E.) By the late 19th century, the kinnari vina survived as a "folk instrument," in South Kanara and Mysore, India, and in the modern bīn or rudra vina.

The instrument shares its name with the kinnara, Buddhist and Hindu mythological creatures that are pictured playing stick zithers or tube zithers. The kinnari vina is traditionally carved with a bird emblem on one end.

  • 9th century C.E. Stick zither and flute played by kinnaras, from the relief of the hidden base of Borobudur - 1890-1891. The kinnara is pressing the gourd resonator into his chest. The end of the stick zither resembles a bird.
  • Sarasvati with a fretted kinnari vina, with an apparent makara or yali on the top. Fretted tube-zither vinas are mentioned in literature by 800 C.E., coexisting with the non-fretted vinas. The rudra veena descends from the kinnari veena.
  • Statue of a musician playing a kinnari vina at the Airakkal Mandapa (Thousand Pillar Hall) in the Meenakshi Temple, Madurai.
  • Mewar, ca. 1630-1640 C.E. A kinnari vina played by a prince
  • Woman playing kinnari vina, from painting by Rahim Deccani, late 17th century C.E.
  • Madras, 1876. Kinnari vina labeled "tingadee." The spike is a bridge, directing string energy to resonator.
  • Kinnari vina, 19th century C.E., from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Instrument has a bird (left) and an animal (right).
  • Kinnari vina, 1903.
  • Bīn or rudra veena, Musée de la Musique (Paris). Instrument has a bird (right side).
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