The Bobbili veena (a Saraswati veena) used in Carnatic music is traditionally made from:

Explanation

The Saraswati veena, the main veena of Carnatic music, is traditionally made from the wood of the jackfruit tree. The Bobbili veena, a famous variety made in Bobbili in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, is carved from a single block of jackfruit wood, which is why it is also called an "ekanda" veena.

Jackfruit wood is chosen because it is strong, resists cracking, and produces a warm and resonant tone. The craftsmen of Bobbili have made veenas for many generations, and the Bobbili veena has been given a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which recognises it as a unique product of the region. The Thanjavur veena, made in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, is another famous variety and also has a GI tag. In Thanjavur, the body and neck are sometimes made from separate pieces of wood joined together. The making of a veena is slow and careful work: the wood is seasoned, carved, hollowed out, polished and decorated, often with intricate carvings and paintings.

The Saraswati veena has a large, rounded body (kudam), a long, hollow neck (dandi) with 24 brass frets set in wax, and a smaller resonator at the upper end. It has four main playing strings and three side strings, which are used for rhythm and drone. The player sits cross-legged and holds the instrument across the lap. It is named after Goddess Saraswati, who is usually shown holding a veena. Famous veena players include S. Balachander, Emani Sankara Sastry, E. Gayathri and Jayanthi Kumaresh. Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam also played the veena.

The mridangam and the kanjira are also traditionally made from jackfruit wood.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Teak wood is a strong timber used mainly for furniture and buildings.
• ✗Bamboo is used for flutes and folk instruments, such as the gogona of Assam.
• ✗Rosewood is used for furniture and some Western instruments.