The performing arts of Kerala Kathakali, Kutiyattam, Mohiniattam, and other forms of dance and drama occupy a vital space in India s creative imagination. All these performances move to a music that is supported by Kerala s indigenous musical instruments a variety of drums and clappers, as well as a smaller number of pipes and strings. Quite a few of these instruments are also found associated with rituals and festivities in the temples of Kerala: the Itakka, Chenta, Timila, Milavu, Suddha Maddalam all membranophones; the aerophones Kurum Kulal and Kompu Vadyam; and Ilattalam, an idiophone. Notes on these instruments by a devoted student of the performing arts of Kerala are put together in this small volume the first English-language publication on the subject. Illustrations of each instrument accompany the texts. The author brings to his task the benefit of an intimate knowledge of each instrument, acquired through years of fieldwork, as well as an erudition born of his immersion in literary classics in Tamil, Malayalam and Sanskrit. The pieces here are a source too of the folklore associated with Kerala s musical instruments. The chief strength of the book, however, lies in the precise information it provides on each instrument its dimensions, materials, construction, playing techniques, methods of training, and, not least, its music. Apart from musicians and musicologists, this book would interest students of Kerala s folklore and anthropology, as well as general readers with a special interest in the arts and culture of Kerala.

Books dealing with ritualistic music, devotional dance forms and allied arts of Kerala arerare. Not much research has gone deep into these areas which cut across the periphery andsuperficial layers and touch the real core. The reasons could be many the practitionersinability to verbalise the content and substance of their art and their inhibition to violatethe rigid, protective, orthodox rules and norms intended to preserve their sanctity.The concept of Sangeetam that is Geetam, Vadyam and Nrityam or the Triad Arts, existedbefore fifteenth century, is still in vogue in the music of Kerala temples.This book deals with the Sopaana music, the traditional music of Kerala and seeks tothrow light on various ritualistic music and musical instruments and ritualistic dance Thalinanka Nrityam the precursor of Mohiniattam. Many facts and information relatedto the three areas, which were rarely known have been identified through systematicresearch of primary and secondary sources, especially the information contained in theold palm leaf manuscripts collected from ancient families and temples. It is hoped thatthe work will pave the way for those who want to go further in studying the temple arts ofKerala.

In this volume, sixty-eight of the world's leading authorities explore and describe the wide range of musics of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Nepal and Afghanistan. Important information about history, religion, dance, theater, the visual arts and philosophy as well as their relationship to music is highlighted in seventy-six in-depth articles.

On the Temple musical instruments of Kerala.

Brief details about Music and musical instruments of India.