In India violin is played sitting down on the floor, the neck of the instrument pointing to the ground resting firmly on the ankle with the base of violin resting against the chest. Traditionally fingering is based around the middle finger (which slides up), and the index finger (which slides down), and there is extensive use of the use of micro-tones and grace notes. Open tunings, such as DADA are commonly used in order to incorporate the drones which are such an important part of Indian music. The reception for the violin was on the whole cooler in the northern part of India, many considering the sound too thin for its Hindustani music compared to the sonorous Sarangi.
Sangeeta Shankar began her musical training at the tender age of four. Initiated and trained by her illustrious mother Dr. N. Rajam, she quickly mastered the intricacies of playing the violin and started performing concerts when she was only thirteen. Her career in music has been outstanding, the fruit of several years of long, arduous and dedicated training.
Here is one composition in Dadra
