european musical instruments in India

[Das Menon]

At 12:12 AM 3/26/97 GMT, Chandan Raghava Narayan wrote:
>
>
>Isn't it curious that the violin in Indian classical music (Carnatic) is
>played with the scroll of the instrument resting on the arch of the foot?
>I find this interesting because I was always taught never to touch items
>associated with "Sarasvati", ie. books, paper, and musical instruments,
>with your feet.
>The instrument can just as well be played in the Western "upright"
>manner... Might this have to do with it being a Western instrument?
>-chandan
>
        This may have more to do with the fact that 'gamakas', an essential
part of Carnatic
        music, is difficult to play with the violin held in the Western style.

Regards...Das