Drums of India III Ghatam and Chenda

The Ghatam is a percussion instrument played in the Southern part of India with Carnatic Music genre.

Ghatam is a clay pot made specifically to be played as a music instrument. It is played with the palm, heal and the fingers of the hand. The Ghatam is usually accompanied with the Mridangam. It produces a low pitch bass sound when an artist hits the open mouth of the Ghatam with open palm. This bass sound is called the “Gumki”. There are two types of Ghatams. One is the Madras Ghatam and the other one is called the Manamadurai.
The difference between the two is that the Madras Ghatam is lighter and is faster to play whereas the Manamadurai Ghatam is a heavier instrument with some brass mixed with the clay.

Ghatam is made with extreme care and the pitch of the Ghatam is determined while it is made. The amount of clay required and the size of the Ghatam plays an important role in its making. The thickness of the ghatam should be even on all sides to give it an equilibrium of sound production.

Guru K Venkataram is one of the most renowned Ghatam players in India.

Chenda

Chenda is a cylindrical kettle drum like percussion instrument played in the state of Kerala. It looks like a Dhol played vertically. It is played with a pair of sticks and has a high pitch sound. Chenda is usually played with holy music and classical dance art of Kerala. The Kathakali dance genre is accompanied by the Chenda instrument. In some parts of Karnataka state, it is called Chande. The drummer suspends the chenda from his neck in such a way that it hangs more or less vertically.

The Chenda is usually 2 feet long and has 1 foot diameter. It is made of wood and the mouths of the Chenda are covered with cow skin. It is traditionally called the Asura Vaadyam.

There are three main types of Chenda- Uruttu chenda (for playing variations), Veekku chenda (one which beats the basic rhythm) and the Acchan chenda.

A type of Chenda performance is called the thayambaka and it’s a performance by a group of Chenda players playing different beats. The group has a leader who guides the team in rhythm variations and beats. Chenda is a respectful instrument in Kerala and Karnataka.

Pandi Melam is a classical percussion concert of Kerala. This Melam is led by the Chenda instrument. Pandi Melam is a performance based on 7 beats rhythm. A unique art in its own, the Chenda is found no where else in the world and this Pandi Melam is performed only for worship inside the temple of South Indian Gods.

Thayambaka is a traditionally a form of Chenda performance performed for the Gods. It has beautiful and melodious rhythm which usually starts with a slow paced 8 beat and gradually switching over to medium 14 beat and ending with a fast rhythm.

Chenda is a rare percussion instrument and it is a rare Heritage of India.
Linus Orakles
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