Cultural Heritage
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments of Kerala are divided into four categories. They are Thatham, Vithatham, Khanam and Sushiram.
Thatham
Thatham are string instruments.Nanthuni and Pulluva Veena fall into this category.
Vithatham
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).
Mizhaavu |
Maddalam |
 Idakka |
Khanam
Musical instruments made of metals are known as Khanam. Ilathalam, Mani, Chengila, Kuzithalam, Panankinnom belong to Khanam category.
Ilathaalam |
 Kuzhithaalam |
Sushiram
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.