Nuzvid craftsman felicitated for creating 21-inch Veena

Vijayawada: Nuzvid craftsman Shaik Mabu, 45, who has been creating Veenas, one of the important musical instruments in India, has been awarded and felicitated in Hyderabad for creating 21 inches Veena.

The normal size of Veena is 53 inches. But Mabu with exceptional skills created 21 inches Veena, which is the smallest Veena ever been created in recent years.

Nuzvid in Krishna district and Bobbili of Vizianagaram district are two important places in Andhra Pradesh famous for making Veenas. Shaik Mabu began crafting Veenas at the age of five and been continuing the profession for nearly four decades.

His father Shaik Meera Saheb and grandfather Shaik Khasim were also gifted craftsmen, who created several thousand Veenas during the last seven decades.

Mabu said, “I am the third-generation craftsman and my family is associated with crafting Veenas and now I am happy to get recognition for my achievement of making 21 inches Veena.” He said Chennai-based Assist organisation, has felicitated and presented a certificate of merit along with the artiste Veena Srivani for singing in a private function in Hyderabad on September 7.

The specialty of 21 inches small Veena is it contains all seven strings that are used for reciting Ragas, said Mabu. He said he was felicitated in Mysore, Karnataka by Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashramam for his services in the field of art and crafting Veenas for nearly three decades. Nuzvid is famous for not only Bangalapalli mangoes but crafting World class Veenas too, he quipped.