Though the Indian Classical Music has a number of stringed instruments of the bowed variety, the introduction of Violin to it, is quite recent. In fact, it is the only western instrument to be absorbed completely into Indian music. It is said that, about a century ago, Varahappaya, a Minister to the Maratha rulers of Tanjavoor, explored this instrument to enrich Indian Classical Music.

The strings of the Violin in India are tuned to different notes than the western style. The light tone of the steel string and the deep, almost human tone of the fourth string embellishes the peculiarities of Carnatic music.