vinas

Use for zitherlike plucked chordophones of ancient and modern India, composed of a hollow bamboo or wood tube to which one or more half-gourd resonators are attached, usually one at each end. Different regional types have varying numbers of frets and melody and drone strings. Medieval models had a single string supported by a rectangular bridge with a convex upper surface, which caused a buzzing effect when the string vibrated. The term is also used generically in India and other countries of southern Asia for chordophones of all kinds.