Chenda:
A double headed cylinder drum, played usually with sticks. This
drum is very important in Kerala. It's the chief accompaniment
in Kathakali, the classical dance form, and the most important
instrument played in temple festivals.
Madhalam
References
to Madhalam date back to the 13th century. It is considered
to be a divine instrument, due to its inclusion as a major accompaniment
in the dance of Shiva. Maddalam is a barrel shaped, double headed
hand drum. There are two types: one is smaller and is worn around
the neck, the larger one is tied onto the waist with a cloth.
Thimila
Udhakka
Edakkha
Drums and Rhythms of Kerala
the
drums: CHENDA, THIMILA, MADHALAM , EDAKKA AND UDUKK
Kerala is a State in the southern part
of India with a wonderfully musical culture. We've recently recieved
some helpful correspondence from Matthew Paul, a drummer living
in Kerala, and will be developing this page as time goes on..Thanks
in the meantime to Matthew Paul for this story:
A folk story from Kerala
Once a temple drummer,after his duty at the temple
was returning home.
It was dark . He was walking through a forest area.
Then he saw a white figure under a
palm tree. It was a Yakshi turned herself in to a beautiful girl.
(A Yakshi is a witch who lives on the palm trees. they eat humans.
If you have an iron piece with you then she will not touch you.
People used to carry small iron rods with them once when they go
out in the night). The drummer saw the beauty in the light of the
lamp he was carrying.
She asked him a bettal leaf to chew. Poor drummer
placed his drum on a rock and also he kept the iron rod he was carrying
with the drum. When he was about to take the bettal leaf from his
waist pouch, she blew out the lamp.
It was dark. That night forest heard cries. Drum kept on drumming
by itself for help. but the night did not answer.
Next morning people saw a broken drum . also they saw fresh bones
under a tall palm
tree.
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References
to Madhalam date back to the 13th century. It is considered
to be a divine instrument, due to its inclusion as a major accompaniment
in the dance of Shiva. Maddalam is a barrel shaped, double headed
hand drum. There are two types: one is smaller and is worn around
the neck, the larger one is tied onto the waist with a cloth.
the
drums: CHENDA, THIMILA, MADHALAM , EDAKKA AND UDUKK
©
1996-2008 Eric Stuer