Ilathalam
Instrumental Music – Thayambaka
Instrumental Music – Thayambaka Thayambaka is another form of Chenda Melam where single or multiple Uruttu Chenda(s) and one or more Veekku Chenda is played. There are only three instruments used in Thayambaka unlike the Panchari or Paandi Melam. Uruttu Chenda is the main instrument, along with Veekku Chenda and Elathalam. It is an art form developed in the South Indian state of Kerala. Thayambaka is also mostly played inside the temple premises or for special festivals and related to temples. The rhythmic beats of Thayambaka starts off on a slow note. It gracefully picks up the pace gradually. A typical Thayambaka can last for 2 to three hours. It initially started as a solo performance – one Uruttu Chenda with accompanying Veekku Chenda and Elathalam. Then the Double, Triple ...
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...
