36: Understanding Rudra Veena with Mohi Baha’ud-din Dagar

Mohi Baha'ud-din Dagar is a Rudra Veena Player. A sangeet natak academy award winner in 2012 and a 20th generation of Dagar lineage, referring to Swami Haridas Dagur of the 13th century. Just to set context, there are almost 11 types of Veena. It is said that Rudra Veena is king of Instruments and all string instruments are shaped from it. Can you share any of it’s mythological and historical aspect? I was going through your website which mentions, stage and mic requirements for a small baithak to a large concert. Can you tell demands of this instrument and why? Asad Ali Khan once said, "Kalakar isse nahi bajata, ye kalakar se bajwata hai” - Can you tell us what is so rahasyamay about this Rudra Veena? Can you tell us challenges of making and playing a Veena. It takes 6 to 7 months to make a Veena. It has challenges since it’s made as per the size of there person. Also it’s tuning before playing is a big task in itself. In fact in one of your interviews, you have said, Veena is a like and elephant. What is so intense about it? What is that silence playing even after plucking of the strings have stopped? It is very peculiar to string instruments as oppose to percussion or wind instruments. Rudra Veena has been with us since Rigveda and Samaveda, or lets call it Satya-yuga. What is the long term future of Veena (Rudra) in Kali-yuga ?