PM Modi receives handcrafted Bobbili Ekanda Veena

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed heartfelt gratitude to the artisans of Andhra Pradesh after receiving an exquisitely handcrafted Bobbili Ekanda Veena. The Prime Minister was presented with the traditional instrument during his visit to Vizianagaram district to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram on Saturday, August 1, 2026. One may recollect that Chandrababu Naidu had gifted the Bobbili Veena to former US president Bill Clinton during the latter’s visit to Hyderabad in the year 2000.
The Bobbili Veena is also a Saraswati Veena and is celebrated for its fine tone, intricate craftsmanship and deep connection with the cultural history of North Andhra. Each professional veena is painstakingly handcrafted by artisans belonging to families that have preserved the skill for generations in the Gollapalli and Vadada villages near Bobbili. The process generally takes between 20 and 25 days, with craftsmen working for nearly eight hours daily. Jackfruit wood is considered ideal for making the instrument because it is light, durable, and strong. Its distinctive grain also helps produce the desired swara, or tonal quality. Unlike instruments assembled from several wooden sections, the Bobbili Veena is carved largely from a single piece of wood. This construction gives it the name Ekandi Veena.
The craft is believed to have developed under the patronage of the Bobbili royal family popular known as the Bobbili Samsthanam. Local tradition traces its beginnings to the 17th century during the reign of Pedda Rayudu, when Bobbili’s rulers encouraged music and supported instrument makers.Recognising its unique geographical origin and traditional craftsmanship, the Bobbili Veena received a Geographical Indication tag in 2011. In Indian musical traditions, the veena holds a distinctive place. This veena is a symbol of the extraordinary craftsmanship of Andhra Pradesh's artists.