Kathakali (Kalyanasougandhikam)
Content : Kathakali performance with English subtitles
Artiste : Margi Theatre, hiruvananthapuram
Language : Malayalam, Subtitled in English
Format : DVD
Duration : 60 mts
Artiste : Margi Theatre, hiruvananthapuram
Language : Malayalam, Subtitled in English
Format : DVD
Duration : 60 mts
Price ( within India) : $30
Price Outside India : $50
Percussion instruments can be termed as almost all pervasive in the world of music. It is essentially a means for rhythm, which is vital to most forms of music. The sounds, vibrations and the tone of percussion instruments vary according to the size and nature of materials used to make them.
Kathakali (Kalyanasougandhikam)
The DVD on Kathakali from Invis Multimedia has the Margi troupe performing Kalyanasougandhikam, a chapter from the epic Mahabharata, depicting the travails of Bheema who goes in search of SougandhikaKathakali. flowers at the behest of his beloved wife Panchali. On the way, he meets his half-brother Hanuman and the story unfolds in the unique dramatic style of The artistes are Inchakattu Ramachandran Pillai (Bheeman), Kalamandalam Ratheesan (Hanuman) and Margi Vijayakumar (Panchali).
Kathakali is a 300-year-old classical dance drama of Kerala, which combines the facets of the ballet, opera, masque and pantomime. This art form adopts events and stories from the great Indian epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. The richness of this classical dance is its magnificent mixture of colour, expression, music and drama that are unparalleled in any other art form.
It is believed that Kathakali evolved from Ramanattam, a set of plays written by Kottarakkara Thampuran (erstwhile ruler of a province in Kerala) based on Ramayana. Later on, stories from Mahabharata and Puranas were written and staged in similar manner and this particular art form came to be known as Kathakali, which literally means ‘story-play.’
Like other classical dance forms of India, Kathakali has adopted the basic concepts from Natyasasthra, a treatise on dance and dramaturgy by the Sage Bharatha. It has adopted mudras or hand gestures from Hasthalakshana Deepika, a treatise on mudras. The most important feature of this art form is that it has gained a high degree of stylization in all the four aspects of acting which are:
Angikam (pertaining to body),
Vachikam (relating to the vocal including proper pronunciation, modulation of voice accents and percussion),
Sathwikam (representation of psychic condition) and
Aharyam (costume, make-up, stage props)
The Kathakali characters are categorized into five; Pacha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi and Minukku. Falling in these five categories are Devas (Gods), Asuras (Demons) and human characters. It is noteworthy that this dance form has gained a stylization even in characterization.
Vachikam (relating to the vocal including proper pronunciation, modulation of voice accents and percussion),
Sathwikam (representation of psychic condition) and
Aharyam (costume, make-up, stage props)
The Kathakali characters are categorized into five; Pacha, Kathi, Kari, Thaadi and Minukku. Falling in these five categories are Devas (Gods), Asuras (Demons) and human characters. It is noteworthy that this dance form has gained a stylization even in characterization.
Another distinctive characteristic, which makes Kathakali stand apart from other classical art forms is its extraordinary costume and exquisite facial make up. The facial make up of each and every character differs, so as to bring out their innate nature. This impressive makeup on the face plays a big role in attracting and holding the attention of the audience to the exquisite facial expression of the actor. The exceptional costume and makeup gives Kathakali artists a supernatural image in the eyes of the audience.
The orchestra of Kathakali includes Chenda, Maddalam, Elathalam (Gong) and Chengila (cymbals). Vocal accompaniment is provided by the singers and the performance follows the Sopana style of music.
The orchestra of Kathakali includes Chenda, Maddalam, Elathalam (Gong) and Chengila (cymbals). Vocal accompaniment is provided by the singers and the performance follows the Sopana style of music.
The end of 19th century witnessed the decline of the traditional art forms of Kerala and the beginning of 20th century saw a cultural renaissance all over India. Kerala Kalamandalam established in 1930 at Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur, by poet Mahakavi Vallathol marked the cultural renaissance in Kerala. Kalmandalam thus became a cultural centre to watch and learn the traditional art forms of Kerala like Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniyttam etc. Margi theatre at Thiruvananthapuram is another centre for learning these traditional performing arts of Kerala.
Vocal- Kottakkal Madhu, Vengeri Narayanan
Maddalam - Kalanilayam Babu
Chenda - Margi Krishnadas
Vocal- Kottakkal Madhu, Vengeri Narayanan
Maddalam - Kalanilayam Babu
Chenda - Margi Krishnadas
Rhapsody of Beats (Percussion Instruments of Kerala)
Content : Video on percussion instruments of Kerala
Language : English
Format : DVD
Duration : 25 mts
Price Within India : $30
Price Outside India : $50
Language : English
Format : DVD
Duration : 25 mts
Price Within India : $30
Price Outside India : $50
Percussion instruments can be termed as almost all pervasive in the world of music. It is essentially a means for rhythm, which is vital to most forms of music. The sounds, vibrations and the tone of percussion instruments vary according to the size and nature of materials used to make them.
Most of the percussion instruments used in Kerala are chiefly made of wood and with playing surfaces made of animal skin. The instruments are played either with sticks or with fingers and palms of the hand or a combination of all the three. Among them one could find unique ones like the Mizhavu, the popular Chenda, the divine Thimila, the classical Mridangam and the smallest of percussion instruments used in Kerala – Thappu.
This video film showcases Percussion instruments of Kerala with highlights on its manufacturing, style of playing, traditions attached and their role in the socio-cultural and religious life of Kerala, India.
Thappu
Thappu is among the small sized drums used in Kerala. Thappu is played with palms of both hands and is usually accompanied by traditional cymbals called the Ilathaalam. Unlike other percussion instruments of Kerala, Thappu does not have strings attached for adjusting the tone.
Thappu is among the small sized drums used in Kerala. Thappu is played with palms of both hands and is usually accompanied by traditional cymbals called the Ilathaalam. Unlike other percussion instruments of Kerala, Thappu does not have strings attached for adjusting the tone.
Mizhavu
Mizhavu is one of the largest of percussion instruments used in Kerala and is pot shaped in its appearance. The present day Mizhavu is made of bronze and copper whereas the earlier ones were made of clay. It is traditionally played by the members of the Nambiar community, and is played by using the palms of both hands. It plays a pivotal role during performances of Kutiyattam and Koothu.
Mizhavu is one of the largest of percussion instruments used in Kerala and is pot shaped in its appearance. The present day Mizhavu is made of bronze and copper whereas the earlier ones were made of clay. It is traditionally played by the members of the Nambiar community, and is played by using the palms of both hands. It plays a pivotal role during performances of Kutiyattam and Koothu.
Maddalam
Maddalam another popular percussion instrument of Kerala is made out of a single block of hollowed jack wood. This percussion instrument is usually played as part of temple rituals and also during theatrical performances like Kathakali and Krishnanattam. While playing, the Maddalam is tied around the waist and is played by both the palms with finger tips covered with artificial caps.
Maddalam another popular percussion instrument of Kerala is made out of a single block of hollowed jack wood. This percussion instrument is usually played as part of temple rituals and also during theatrical performances like Kathakali and Krishnanattam. While playing, the Maddalam is tied around the waist and is played by both the palms with finger tips covered with artificial caps.
Mridangam
Mridangam is a key instrument for south Indian classical performances. Though not of Kerala origin, it is widely used in Kerala. Mridangam, which resembles Maddalam, is also made out of jack wood. While playing, the artist sits cross-legged with the right foot slightly extended and placed above the left foot with the Mridangam placed on the right foot and ankle.
Mridangam is a key instrument for south Indian classical performances. Though not of Kerala origin, it is widely used in Kerala. Mridangam, which resembles Maddalam, is also made out of jack wood. While playing, the artist sits cross-legged with the right foot slightly extended and placed above the left foot with the Mridangam placed on the right foot and ankle.
Thakil
Thakil is another percussion instrument, which has its origin in Tamil Nadu, but widely used in Kerala. The left side of the drum is played with fingers fitted with metal caps, while the right side is played with slightly curved wooden sticks. Thakil is often played as an accompaniment to Nagaswaram, a wind instrument and forms part of temple ceremonies as well as auspicious occasions like marriages in the Hindu tradition.
Thakil is another percussion instrument, which has its origin in Tamil Nadu, but widely used in Kerala. The left side of the drum is played with fingers fitted with metal caps, while the right side is played with slightly curved wooden sticks. Thakil is often played as an accompaniment to Nagaswaram, a wind instrument and forms part of temple ceremonies as well as auspicious occasions like marriages in the Hindu tradition.
Thimila
A double-headed drum in the shape of a long hourglass, Thimila is an essential percussion instrument of temple orchestra to assist in rituals. It is also an important instrument while performing the Panchavadyam, the traditional musical ensemble of Kerala. It is believed that the rhythmic sounds of the Thimila add to the divinity of god’s abodes and also to the Panchavadyam.
A double-headed drum in the shape of a long hourglass, Thimila is an essential percussion instrument of temple orchestra to assist in rituals. It is also an important instrument while performing the Panchavadyam, the traditional musical ensemble of Kerala. It is believed that the rhythmic sounds of the Thimila add to the divinity of god’s abodes and also to the Panchavadyam.
Edakka
Edakka is another hourglass shaped smaller percussion instrument considered very divine like the Thimila and noted for its varied tones. It is a friction drum and its uniqueness lies in the fact that the instrument is a rare combination of pitch and rhythm.
Chenda
Chenda is an essential accompaniment for temple festivals and for some of the classical and folk forms of dance and music. The sound produced while playing the Chenda is usually high, which gives it a classification among percussion instruments with demonic traits. But, the beats of the Chenda can also produce astonishingly low tones and are used to accompany songs that are soft and soothing. During performance, the Chenda is hung from the shoulder of the player and is played with stick in both hands or with stick in one hand. This percussion instrument is at its best when played in the traditional musical ensemble called Thayambaka. Massed Chenda also takes centre stage during the grand festive occasions of Kerala like the famous Thrissur Pooram.
Edakka is another hourglass shaped smaller percussion instrument considered very divine like the Thimila and noted for its varied tones. It is a friction drum and its uniqueness lies in the fact that the instrument is a rare combination of pitch and rhythm.
Chenda
Chenda is an essential accompaniment for temple festivals and for some of the classical and folk forms of dance and music. The sound produced while playing the Chenda is usually high, which gives it a classification among percussion instruments with demonic traits. But, the beats of the Chenda can also produce astonishingly low tones and are used to accompany songs that are soft and soothing. During performance, the Chenda is hung from the shoulder of the player and is played with stick in both hands or with stick in one hand. This percussion instrument is at its best when played in the traditional musical ensemble called Thayambaka. Massed Chenda also takes centre stage during the grand festive occasions of Kerala like the famous Thrissur Pooram.
Panchavadyam
Panchavadyam is the most popular and traditional orchestra of Kerala. The word Panchavadyam means five instruments, comprising Maddalam, Edakka, Thimila, Ilathalam and the horn Kombu. Panchavadyam is performed by a group of artists standing in rows facing each other. Panchavadyam is of significance during most of the festival occasions, religious processions and also during cultural events.
Panchavadyam is the most popular and traditional orchestra of Kerala. The word Panchavadyam means five instruments, comprising Maddalam, Edakka, Thimila, Ilathalam and the horn Kombu. Panchavadyam is performed by a group of artists standing in rows facing each other. Panchavadyam is of significance during most of the festival occasions, religious processions and also during cultural events.