THE ART OF THE VINA

Lecture by Philippe Bruguière

The history of the vina is exemplary in several ways. According to legend, Shiva created the instrument after studying his wife’s form. It became the epitome of instrumental art in the court, before having its prestige undermined during the 18th Century’s upheavals. Now its legacy is preserved by a few families of musicians.

Philippe Bruguière studied under Zia Mohiuddin Dagar (1929-1990), one of the last masters of this tradition. Today he is an archivist at the Museum of Music in Paris and regularly gives recitals.