Tata Vadya are Stringed instruments. They are also known as Chordophones The tata Vadya is a series of musical instruments in which the vibration of a chord or string produces sound. The vibrations are created by plucking a string or blowing on a stretched or drawn tight string. The length of the vibrating wire or string, as well as the degree of string tightening, determine the pitch of the note generated. The length of the vibrating string has a minor effect on the duration of the sound. This article will look at some of the most crucial musical instruments for the UPSC IAS exam.

Tata Vadya

• The vibrating of a string or chord produces sound.
• Plucking or bowing on the string produces vibrations.
• The pitch of the note and, to some extent, the duration of the sound are determined by the degree to which the string is tightened.
• The changes in pitch of notes-swaras are caused by an increase or decrease in the length of the vibrator wire.

Types of Tata Vadya

• There are 4 types of Tata Vadya based on the Physical parameters:

• Harp: The harp is a stringed musical instrument with individual strings that run at an angle to the soundboard and are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be created and played in a variety of ways, including standing or seated, in orchestras, and in performances.
• Lyers: It is a musical instrument similar to harp but small in size and can be carried in hand.
• Zithers: A musical instrument made up of a horizontally positioned flat wooden sound box with multiple strings stretched across it and played with fingers and a plectrum.
• Lutes: Any plucked string instrument having a neck and a shallow round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body, is referred to as a lute.

• Based on String specifications, there are two varieties of Tata Vadya: plucked and bowed. They are also divided into fretted and non-fretted varieties.
• Geetanuga has bowed instruments that are usually used as an accompaniment to vocal music. They are classified into two categories: upright and inverted.

• The fingerboard is held straight up in the upright version, as in the case of Sarangi, in the first category.
• In the second category, the inverted version, the board or resonator is held towards the player’s shoulder and the fingerboard, or dandi, is held throughout the player’s arm, like in the Ravanhastaveena, Banam, and Violin.

Examples of Tata Vadya

Instrument	Features	Image
Sitar	Sitar is a plucked instrument with a long neck. It is mostly used in Hindustani forms of music. Sitar is said to be invented by Amir Khusrao in the 13th century. In sitar, just one string is sufficient to play the whole melody
Veena	Veena had 7 strings. It is a Monochord, played by plucking strings.  It is a Lute type of instrument which is mentioned in Vedas. Lutes, zithers, and arching harps are examples of ancient musical instruments that have evolved into many forms. The Rudra veena, the Saraswati veena, the Vichitra veena, and other regional designs have various names.
Santoor	A trapezoid-shaped hammered instrument, the Indian santoor is a variant of the Iranian Santoor. The instrument has 25 bridges and is usually constructed of wood. There are four strings on each bridge, for a total of 100 strings. In Jammu and Kashmir, it is a traditional instrument that dates back to ancient times.
Sarod	The sarod is a stringed instrument with a short neck and freckles. Triangular Java is used to pluck it. The sarod is a modified version of the Afghan rabab, which came to India in the sixteenth century. The instrument’s present form was created in the nineteenth century. It is used in Hindustani music
Sarangi	The sarangi is a bowed, short-necked string instrument that is used in traditional Indian music such as Punjabi folk music, Rajasthani folk music, and Boro folk music, as well as Pakistani and Bangladeshi folk music. It is an instrument that is bowed inverted, in contrast to Violin.

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UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Which of the following is not a String Instrument?

1. Sarangi
2. Sarod
3. Flute
4. Veena

UPSC Mains Practice Question

1. What is Tata Vadya? Explain the types of Tata Vadya with examples.

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