The
Sarasvati vīṇa (also spelled
Saraswati vina) ( ) is an Indian plucked
string instrument. It is named after the Hindu goddess
Saraswati, who is usually depicted holding or playing the instrument. Also known as
raghunatha veena (veena also spelled 'vina', ,
Sanskrit: वीणा (vīṇā), ,
Malayalam: വീണ, ) is used mostly in
Carnatic Indian classical music. There are several variations of the veena, which in its South Indian form is a member of the
lute family. One who plays the veena is referred to as a
vainika.