Idakka
Instrumental Music – Pancha Vadyam
Pancha Vadyam literally means an orchestra of five instruments. It is an art form of Kerala, South India which is centred around temples and festivals. The instruments used are “Maddalam”, “Thimila”, “Idakka”, “Kobmu”, “Elathalam” – Cymbal. Maddalam, Idakka and Thimila as we have seen already belong to the Membranophones family. Kombu is a Wind Instrument of the Aerophone family. Elathalam or Ilathalam is a metallic instrument having resemblance to Cymbals, made of bronze. Like Chenda Melams, Pancha Vadyam is based on the Seven-Beat Thripuda Thalam. But it also played on the Chempata Thalam having Eight Beats. Pancha Vadyam is peformed during temple rituals and festivals in Kerala. Typical Pancha Vadyam performance lasts abo...
Thimila
Thimila is another percussion drum instrument belonging to the Membranophones family of instrument widely used in Kerala, South India. It is also an hour-glass shaped double headed instrument with a hollow body, having skin heads on its both open ends. Thimila is mainly used for Pancha Vadyam and also in some temple rituals. It is also known as Paani. Thimila is also considered as a divine instrument and hence used for temple rituals like Sree-Bali, Sree-Bhootha-Bali etc. in temples. Construction The hollow body of Thimila is made of polished Jack Wood and its drumheads are made of Calf Skin. The skins are held together by leather braces. The braces are twined round the waste of the drum, helping in adjusting the tension and controlling the sound produced by the instrument. The body of Thi...
Instrumental Music – Idakka with Nadaswaram
Instrumental Music – Idakka with Nadaswaram Here is one interesting piece of music on Nadaswaram and Idakka. The featured artists are Vadasseri Sivadas and Vishnuprasad Marar, Guruvayur. One of the famous songs on Lord Krishna is rendered on Nadaswaram with the accompaniment of Idakka. Song: Chethi Mandaram Thulasi Music: G.Devarajan Lyrics: Vayalar Rama Varma Language: Malayalam Raga: Anandabhairavi The video is presented by the YouTube Channel Blue Planet Cinema/Abhinava Bharatham Series. With Vadassery Sivadas on Nadaswaram and Vishnuprasad Marar on Idakka, the rendering is excellent. Picture and Video used for illustration only – Credit: Blue Planet Cinema Let us watch and listen to the video. 00
Idakka
Idakka Idakka is a percussion instrument having its origin from Kerala in India. It is also spelt as Edakka or Edaykka which literally means “In the Middle”. This has shape like the “Damaru” and a two headed drum instrument but bigger than the Damaru. Idakka is categorized among the Mangala Vadyas (auspicious instruments). Considering its divinity, it is never kept on the floor but hung near the Sanctum Sanctorum of the temple when not in use. It is believed that Vedas and Arts have connection with Idakka. Construction The Idakka consists of two circular drum heads. Each drum head is mounted within a circular ring. The shape of the body is of hourglass, which is placed between the two heads. The two rings are pulled towards each other using Laces. Drum heads are thu...