Bowed stringed instrument of painted wood in the form of a peacock. The bird's neck is hinged to the body, allowing it to swing forward in order to access the strings inside. The vibrating membrane above the back of the bird is a piece of animal skin, painted and varnished upon which sits the ivory bridge. The four principal wire strings run over the top of the bridge, and fourteen sympathetic strings run through holes drilled in a row through the middle of the bridge. There are 14 metal frets on the long fingerboard, which is bordered with ivory bands and painted with green leaves and flowers in bright red and yellow.

The mayuri, or peacock vina, was more popular in the 19th century than it is today. It is played with a bow, the body resting on the ground and the neck passing over the shoulder of the seated or squatting player. While the right hand applies the bow, the forefinger and middle finger of the left hand stop the strings on the movable frets. The peacock is a reference to Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of wisdom, music and poetry. She is often depicted riding on a peacock or swan.