---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-indian-violinists-hold-the-violin'
title: 'How do Indian violinists hold the violin?'
author:
  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/fdfe7927a034173f'
date: '2026-10-19T18:58:23+00:00'
type: website
summary: "Carnatic violinists sit cross-legged and rest the violin's scroll on the right ankle, which keeps it steady while the left hand moves freely."
tags:
  - 'Instruments & artforms'
image: 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
published: true
og:
  site_name: KalaSudha
  'image:url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:secure_url': 'https://kalasudha.com/themes/custom/music_agency/assets/icon/logo.svg'
  'image:type': image/svg+xml
  'image:alt': KalaSudha
---
  [  Help ](/en-gb/help)     How do Indian violinists hold the violin?  

1. [  Home ](/en-gb)
2. 
3. [ Help ](/en-gb/help)
4. 
5. Instruments & artforms
6. 
7. How do Indian violinists hold the violin…
 
 

 

 

 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# How do Indian violinists hold the violin?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

Carnatic violinists play the **[violin](/instrument/violin)** seated cross-legged on the floor, with the right foot pointing outward and the scroll resting on that ankle. The back of the instrument sits against the left collarbone or shoulder. Jameela Siddiqi of Darbar explains that the position lets the left hand move freely along the fingerboard while the violin stays steady for fast ornamentation.



 

 Was this answer helpful? [  ](/en-gb/user/login?flag_anon=faq_helpful-1015&destination=/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-indian-violinists-hold-the-violin)

 [  ](/en-gb/user/login?flag_anon=faq_not_helpful-1015&destination=/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-indian-violinists-hold-the-violin)

 

 Thanks for your feedback!

 

 

## Related pages

 1 page mentions this question

 

 

###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Violin The violin reached South India in the late 18th century. Carnatic and Hindustani players adapted it with a seated hold that frees the left hand for the slides…     ](/en-gb/instrument/violin)
 
  

 

 

   [     Previous question How do I start learning the vichitra veena?  ](/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-i-start-learning-the-vichitra-veena) [  Next question How do pakhawaj students learn bols?     ](/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-pakhawaj-students-learn-bols)