Advice on visit to Kerala please?
Topic started by nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk) on Wed Mar 28 07:41:38 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
I have been looking forward to seeing Kerala again since I visited briefly three years ago.
How do I find out about classical concerts, dance performances etc in Trivandam/Cochin. i.e. what is the equivalent of buying The Hindu in Chennai to see the ads? I hope to be there just after Easter.
Any recommendations of respected percussion instrument makers in these cities?
Responses:
- From: Siby Koodalloor (@ 61.11.11.103)
on: Wed Mar 28 23:35:11
The Hindu has its editions in Cochin & Trivandrum. You could also look up in New Indian Express.
Vishu (falling on April 14)is a season of dance and music in Kerala. Shortly, Swati Tirunal Sangeetotsam will begin in Trivandrum. I don't know anything about percussion instruments makers.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Tue Apr 3 11:56:55
Thank You
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Mon May 14 06:37:25
I am now the happy owner of a Madalam and an Edukka. How on earth do madalam players stand
and carry that weight --- I find it hard even to lift it! It is a fascinating instrument, and I am
discovering some of its different sounds. I doubt very much if there are many more in London!
The Edduka too is very amazing. But, of course it requires understanding of raga/pitch as well as rhythm to play it, which counts me out for now!
The man from whom I got these is a Vina and Harmonium manufacturer in Trivandram. He was recommended to me, and I would not hesitate in recommending him to anyone else who needs to buy instruments in that part of the world.
- From: Siby Koodalloor (@ 61.11.12.9)
on: Mon May 14 08:25:46
Maddalam is an instrument used by band sets and similar open public performers. It looks very much like the most famous and ubiquitous instrument of Kerala, chenda. But sounds very differently from Chenda.
Edakka is used in Sopana sangeetam. It's quite difficult to master unlike Chenda.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Tue May 15 08:42:07
Chenda would by easily recognised by any drummer anywhere in the world who plays drum with sticks. But madalam is double ended and played with fingers. Anyone with experience of mridangam would be able to make a beginning on madalam, but edakka: I would not even have guessed how to hold it if I had not been shown, and even my mridangam master did not know this.
I am amazed by weighty construction of madalam: the thickness of the straps and the braiding is amazing. I have read that, unlike mridangam, it cannot be made by just one person.
- From: SAM (@ 210.212.226.229)
on: Tue May 15 15:11:48
OH MAN
YOU DIDN'T SAW MANY KERALITE INSTRUMENTS
- From: Ramadas (@ globalc26.citicorp.com)
on: Tue May 15 19:07:33
Yes, the most classical drum instrument is the
"dhimila". Its middle is narrow and the ends
wide, and used for intrinsic and subtle "Pooja"
music called "Paani Kottal". For very important
Poojas, the priest peeps out of the "SreeKovil"
(Sanctum Sanctorun) and gives "hand signals"
(mudra) to the drummer who plays the dhimila, in
very subtle way (listening intensly will take you
into a trance). The Maddalam and "Cheangala" (bronze cymbal tapped with a wooden rod) are also accompanied in "Paani". You must experience to enjoy it. Most popularly the "dhimila" is used for
"Panchavaadyam". It gives the "Om" sound and therefore the instrument is considered as "Deva Vaadyam" unlike the "Chenda" which is considered as "Asura Vaadyam". The dhimila is accompanied by
cymbals, Iddakka, maddalam, and Kombu (to be
blown on). Some website gives you a RealPlayer bit
of Panchavaadyam to listen to. I do not remember the name of the site. Please use Google and search. One more classical instrument is the the "Mizhaavu" used for "Chaakyaar Koothu". This is a big earthen pot, with a small mouth, covered with
hide and gives out a strange sound when tapped with both hands.
- From: Mani (@ spider-wg083.proxy.aol.com)
on: Tue May 15 21:47:50
Certain instruments are used for certain rituals or processions.
Chendai and thavil are the most commonly used percussion instruments, it usually depends on the deity, because pambai and thavil are used for Bhagavathi/Mariamman processions or festivals.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Thu May 17 09:46:50
Yes, I have panchavadyam music on CD, also I was lucky enough to spot some on the television while I was there. By the way, something else I saw on the TV: what was it? ...
There was one man delivering a story as a monologue (though there were other voices off stage). He used mime, acting and props. Eventualy I realised from the action that he was tellingthe story of Kana giving up his earrings and his skin of armour from Mahabarath.
- From: Mani (@ spider-mtc-th024.proxy.aol.com)
on: Thu May 17 14:30:13
Nick,
Do you have any percussional music involving parai instruments like pambai, thavil, udukkai, etc?
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Fri May 18 06:25:45
Mani: pambai I don not know, uddukka I have a little on CD including one CD I just got where the
uddakka is played as the solo instrument, accompanied by violin and mridangam!
Thavil, also I have some tapes with thavil accompanying --- most of my music is carnatic.
- From: Mani (@ spider-th074.proxy.aol.com)
on: Sat May 19 08:36:30
Nick,
Oh, its in Carnatic style ehh? I thought it might be in processional style, that is what I am looking for.
- From: bala (@ scsiapat1.net.americas.agilent.com)
on: Sun Nov 24 21:25:24
Hi All,
I would like to know the name of the instrument that is used when one sings carnatic songs... It looks like a harmonium but only able to produce a single pitch at a time. I am not sure if it is called suthi box ??? Please advice.
- From: Muthu (@ dup-200-64-191-49.prodigy.net.mx)
on: Mon Nov 25 01:59:33
I've heard Kerala is very beautiful.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Mon Nov 25 06:38:43
bala: I believe it is called a sruti peti. I've only seen it a couple of times as everyone has the electronic version these days it seems.
Muthu: Kerala is very, very, VERY beautiful!
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Mon Nov 25 06:48:48
Muthu; I'm told that Kerala is very similar to Sri Lanka, but I've only seen Colombo airport, so can't comment personally on this. Of course, if you don't like coconut palms, then you definately wouldn't like it there ;-).
I would also unhesitatingly recommend it to anyone who has never been to India and is a little afraid of what they will find there eg my girlfriend (who is malayalee from Malaysia) had the idea that everyone in India would try to rip her off. After two-week holiday she said, "I was quite wrong, I met only good people".
Ho hum, I love Kerala, but this is a music forum so I'd better stop going on about it!!!!
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Mon Nov 25 06:52:26
And another recommendation for Sunil of Pranavam Musicals in Trivandram. I sent an broken edduka head with a friend who was spending only a couple of days there, but Sunil had it repaired in time for him to bring back
- From: sush (@ 203.202.181.163)
on: Wed Nov 27 23:25:45
nick, could you give the full address and phone no. of the vina and harmonium maker in Trivandrum?
I am interested in picking up a few musical instruments, both percussion and string..
thanks,
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Thu Nov 28 07:06:31
Sush; I'm going to have a go at the address from memory, just in case I forget to dig it out...
Pranavam Musicals, Tycaud, Metacaud, Trivandram
But I do have the phone number from my mobile:
09147 1321 581
He does not manufacture percussion instruments, but has obtained several for me: give him as much notice as possible.
He (Sunil) is the only one who speaks English. If you speak Malayalam, then no problem, of course. I think some of the others speak some Hindi and I'd be surprised if they didn't understand at least some tamil.
Please tell him that Nick from London gave you the recommendation, and give him my namascaram.
Are you based in US/Europe? When are you going to Kerala? Have a great trip!
- From: vidya (@ dialup-65.59.39.5.dial1.detroit1.level3.net)
on: Thu Nov 28 13:01:47
Is kudamuzha played or known in any Kerala temples?
Any pictures or info welcome.
- From: Rohan (@ 24.247.121.197.kzo.mi.chartermi.net)
on: Thu Nov 28 15:42:37
Hey Nick, one of the most respected percussion makers in Kerala is N. Parameswaran. My guru, Guruvayur Dorai, and I generally get our concert mridangams made by him. His contact information is as follows: East Road, Koyilandi, 673 305. I am also eager to see his shop. Hopefully you can take a look and tell us how it is!
- From: Sush (@ 203.202.181.163)
on: Thu Nov 28 17:16:06
HI Nick,
My parents live in Trivandrum, and me in Down Under. So conversing in Malayalam is not a problem. I was planning to ask them to buy and courier them to me...
Tx for the address
- From: hari (@ 203.199.213.5)
on: Thu Nov 28 22:40:09
hi nick,
do you know there are a few experts of "edakka", who can play karnatic songs on that instrument. occasionally the programme appears in kerala TV channels. It is known as "Edakka katcheri". One Mr. krishnadas is an exampe.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Fri Nov 29 06:13:41
Sush, Oh, great! Your parents should have no problem finding the shop, then, and can easily ring anyway. There's one place where (coming from eg rail station) the driver stops at a junction at the top of a hill (there is a shrine there) and says 'I don't know which way to go'. You turn right and the shop is a few blocks down on the left).
- From: nic k (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Fri Nov 29 06:15:04
Hari; Yes!!!! I have a CD, edakka accompanied by violin and mridangam! I haven't listened to it for a whil and forget the name of the musician.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Fri Nov 29 06:25:39
Rohan, thanks for that info. Likely to be of more use to Sush, as I can't see myself getting back to India for at least a year now :-(((((
I haven't been any further North than Kochi, but would like to explore more.
- From: cram (@ 203.199.211.197)
on: Fri Nov 29 09:49:38
hi nick
u should check out my home district, palakkad. it has a great musical tradition and is also a very beautiful place.
- From: cram (@ 203.199.211.197)
on: Fri Nov 29 09:53:04
ohh...i forgot. palakkad is the gateway to the north. further up are beautiful ditricts of wayanad, kannu...alll the way up to kasargod.
- From: nick (@ host.sumitomomarine.co.uk)
on: Mon Dec 2 08:22:56
Cram, Yes, one day I will certainly visit these places
- From: S. Krishnan (@ )
on: Wed Oct 20 12:57:28
Dear Nick:
Rohan mentioned about one Mr. N. Parameshwaran in Calicut, Kerala, who makes very good Mridangams. If one wants to buy a mridangam, how well in advance do you have to let him know and what will be the approximate cost in Indian Rupees? Can I please get an answer to this. I greatly appreciate your time. Thanks a lot.
- From: grasshopper (@ 61.2.40.10)
on: Sat Oct 23 14:45:59 EDT 2004
get some good grass
- From: Nick H (UK) (@ nhaynes.adsl.wizards.co.uk)
on: Sat Oct 23 20:05:43 EDT 2004
Dear Krishnan, I strongly recommend you address your enquiry to Rohan: he has the experience of this maker. His website is www.rohanrhythm.com, and that site includes contact details.
In my small experience, you must allow a week for the making of the mridangam, but this assumes that the maker is not busy with other work, and even factors like the weather might alter the time. Give as much notice as you can!
I can not guess at another maker's prices: I can tell you that I have recently paid 4,300/4,500 for 22inch/24inch in Chennai. It may be cheaper in Kerala. Also I was paying the same price as quoted to my guruji, who buys many mridangams. A one-off buyer might pay more.
(Thanks, Grasshoper, but I don't smoke).
- From: TN (@ cache-rtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com)
on: Sat Oct 23 22:35:36 EDT 2004
You go to Kerala? All you see is banyan, loongi, and aruvaal, plus thengamaram.
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