Traditional musical instruments

24 July 2013 Kerala Commentary

We are reintroducing here a few of the traditional musical instruments of Kerala, in pictures. They are still in use, though only in temples, associated with festivals. The vibrant musical history of ancient Kerala will be told in these pages some day soon. The pictures were taken by a few Kerala photographers who were generous enough to make them available via wikimedia commons. Chenda has an exclusive page.

Chief Editor.

Kombu. By Hirumon.

Thamburu. By Kannan Shanmugham Quilon.

Thakil. By Foto Kannan.

Mazha Mooli. By Nirakshara.

Mizhavu. By Foto Kannan.

Original Mizhavu of Kalakkatthu Kunchan Nambiar. By Vinayaraj.

Idaykka. By Anivar Aravind.

Idaykka. By Jayesh J.

Thimila. By Jayesh J.

Kadum Thudi. By Rajesh Unuppally.

Ilatthalam. By Challiyan.

It is not necessary to learn about the theory and history of a musical instrument to listen to and enjoy the fine sounds coming from it. Therefore, we are totally avoiding script. If one is not in a position to listen to its performance anywhere, he would wish to see it, at least its picture. This is what we could do, collecting their pictures scattered everywhere and making them available here.

24 July 2013 Kerala Commentary