---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-the-difference-between-the-mandolin-and-the-veena'
title: 'What is the difference between the mandolin and the veena?'
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date: '2026-10-19T19:01:55+00:00'
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summary: 'The mandolin has four double courses tuned like a violin and is played with a pick; the Saraswati veena is a long-necked lute with frets set in wax.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is the difference between the mandolin and the veena?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

The European **[mandolin](/en-int/instrument/mandolin)** is fretted, with four double courses of wire strings, tuned like a violin and played with a pick, as a 1772 Neapolitan example at the V&A shows. The Saraswati veena of Carnatic music is a long-necked lute whose 24 frets sit in a ridge of beeswax. For Carnatic music U. Srinivas played a five-string electric mandolin with single strings in place of the double courses.



 

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## Related pages

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- [   Mandolin The Carnatic mandolin is the electric instrument U. Srinivas established for South Indian raga: his five single strings or the Western eight in four courses,…     ](/en-int/instrument/mandolin)
 
  

 

 

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