The Music and Musical Instruments of Southern India and the Deccan c11.185

c11.185

The strings are secured directly to the attachment, which is a narrow ledge fixed to the body, instead of to langarus as sometimes is the case in the vina. In place of langarus, and for the purpose of assisting in tuning, there are beads called pusalu, threaded upon the strings between the bridge and the attachment to which they are secured. These beads pushed down in the direction of the attachment act like a wedge between the belly and the strings, and thus stretching the strings serve to alter their pitch as required. This contrivance is found in many Indian instruments.