THERE ARE NO IN-PERSON CLASSES….For all inquiries regarding Veena Music class, please contact Veena Music Teacher, Nivedita ShivRaj at: (212) 203-3555 or the Temple counter at: (718) 460 8484 ext. 112.
Pãtašãla – Veena Music Classes
Temple Ganesa Pãtašãla offers veena music classes for Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced – in various grades.
Carnatic music is often performed with the ancient musical instrument veena – a multi-stringed instrument like the sitar and lute. Veena is the oldest and the most authentic of all Indian instruments and is considered the divine instrument of Indian music. This instrument allows all the delicate quarter-tones and the subtle nuances to be played with accuracy, thereby resembling the music of the complex human voice.
The origin of veena can be traced to India’s Vedic period. While the Indian Yajur Veda (1500 BC) mentions the veena as an accompaniment to vocal recitations, another Indian epic The Yajna Valkya Smriti describes that “the one who is well versed in veena, one who has the knowledge of srutis (the pitch) and one who is adept in tala (the rhythm), attains salvation without doubt”. It’s therefore the ambition of South Indian families to train their children on veena.
The Teacher
Veena music classes at the Temple Ganesa Patasala are offered by Guru Nivedita ShivRaj, an award-winning carnatic music professional who hails from a family of musicians. She is also the artistic director of the carnatic-jazz band: Charanams.
Class Schedule
Saturdays – 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Class Location
Veena classes are offered at the Music room near Raghavendra Sannidhi, opposite to the Temple. The music room has veenas for practice during classes. The students are requested to purchase their own veenas to practice at home. New veenas are available for purchase from time to time at the Temple. Please contact the Temple counter at: 718-460-8484 ext. 112 for availability and price.
Fee
$12 per class or $450 for entire scholastic year.
How to register?
Students are advised to meet the veena teacher during a class schedule or over phone at: (212) 203-3555 before registration. The fee for classes must be paid at the Temple counter. See the flyer below for details.
Inquiries
For all inquiries regarding veena music class, please contact the teacher during a class schedule or over phone at: (212) 203-3555 or the Temple counter at: (718) 460-8484 ext. 112.
Other Classes at the Pãtašãla
For a complete list of classes at the Pãtašãla, please see: nyganeshtemple.org/patasala.