MUSIC
Music is an art of sounds.
Like language, music is a unique form of communication.
But conversation takes place only when the speaker and the
listener speak the same language. It is generally agreed
that music possesses immense power of communication and
language is not a problem to listen and enjoy the music.
It is not easy to say when music began or from which cultures
the music originated.
The proximity of the sea
may be the reason for the Keralite’s love of music.
Rhythm is the unique feature of Kerala music. Perhaps, Kerala
may be a region where largest numbers of musical instruments
are played. Performance of Panchavadyam in which percussion
and wind musical instruments are blended alone will certify
that Kerala is immensely rich in music.
In
tribal societies, music has an important role in religious
rituals and serves as a communication form with supernatural
beings. Tribal of Kerala still follow the pre-Dravidian
music. Chattupattu is the excellent example. Thottampattu
is another primitive form of Kerala music. Panarpattu still
represent the pre-Dravidian tradition. Similarly, Pulluvanpattu
is sung even now to please the snake-deities.
Kerala music can be divided into two; common and classical.
Ritual folk songs and work related folk songs could be treated
as common music. Folk Music is the music that the people
of ethnic groups specifically identify themselves. It generally
reflects the diversity of people, their lifestyles, and
their culture. It consists of songs sung through ages. There
may not be written musical notes and prescribed standards.
Once learns it by hearing. The composers of folk music are
unknown to the present. It is the music of the socially
and economically lower classes of the society. It is simple
in style. Folk music exists in many different forms and
under a variety of social and cultural conditions. Ayyappanpattu,
Bhadrakalipattu, Bhagavathypattu, Bharanipattu, Chattupattu,
Gandharvanpattu, Kalamezhuthumpattu, Kalampattu, Kalashapattu,
Kanipattu, Kaniyanpattu, Kamanpattu, Kannerpattu, Kurunthiripattu,
Kuthiyottampattu, Mannarpattu, Marakkalapattu, Maripattu,
Mundiyanpattu, Nallummapattu, Panarpattu, Pappinipattu,
Poorakalipattu, Poothpattu, Sanghamkalipattu, Sarpampattu,
Sarpapattu, Theeyattupattu, Vallapattu, Velarpattu, and
Villadichanpattu, are
the devotional, ritual or entertainment folk songs. Kathirupattu,
Kattapattu, Kevuvallapattu, Koithupattu, Malakilapattu,
Njattuvelapattu, Pulayanpattu, Thinapattu, Vandipattu, Vattipattu are the folk songs related to work.
Classical music includes
Carnatic music, Sopana sangeetham and Kathakali song.
Musical
instruments
Musical instruments of Kerala are divided into four categories.
They are Thatham, Vithatham, Khanam and Sushiram. Thatham
are string instruments. Nanthuni and Pulluva Veena fall
into this category. Vithatham are percussion instruments
(drums). Para, Chenda, Madhalam, Mizhavu, Idakka, Udukku,
Thudi are the prominent percussion instruments. They are
of two shapes – spherical (Eg., Madhalam) and cylindrical
(Eg.Thudi). Musical instruments made of metals are known
as Khanam. Ilathalam, Mani, Chengila, Kuzithalam, Panankinnom
are belong to Khanam category. Wind instruments like Kombu,
Kuzhal (pipe), Pullamkuzhal (flute) are grouped under Sushiram.
In addition to the above, Villu (bow) and Chandravalayam
are also used in Kerala for Villadichanpattu and Ramakathapattu.
Para (drum) is the most
common musical instrument of the tribal community. Nanthuni
is used along with Onappattu and Kalamezhuthupattu. Idakka
is the background instrument for Sopana sangeetham. Mizhavu
is the instrument for Koothu. Chenda, Madhalam and Chengila
are the instruments played in Kath Kali.
Panchvadyam |
Panchvadyam |
Kuzhal |
Pulluva
sing
|
Pulluva
sing
|
Pulluva
veena
|
Pulluva
veena
|
Pulluvakkudam
|
Chenda
|
Chendamelam
|
Mizhavu
|
Mridangan
|
Idakka
|
Naadaswaram
|
Naadaswaram
|
