Maddalam of Palakkad
Maddalam of Palakkad is the musical instrument known as maddalam produced by artisans located in Palakkad District in Kerala. Maddalam is a percussion instrument used extensively in Temples of Kerala. The shape of Maddalam is similar to that of Mridangam.
Different Types of Maddalam[edit]
But there are differences in their playing and construction. Generally three types of Maddalam are found and used in Kerala namely Toppi Maddalam, Vira Maddalam and Suddha Maddalam. All the three types of Maddalam are tied round the waist for playing. They are all produced by the artisans of Palakkad. A small number of artisans of Palakkad over several generations have acquired the necessary skills to make these musical instruments.[1] Peruvembu village in Palakkad District is the production centre of maddalam and maddalam is produced only in this village.[2][3] The materials used for the production of maddalam are the trunk of jack tree, leather and adhesives.
As per an application filed by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, "Maddalam of Palakkad" has been granted Registration in Part A in respect of Maddalam – Musical Instruments falling in Class – 15 under Sub-section (1) of Section 13 of Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 with effect from 30 November 2015.[4][5]
Peruvemba Village[edit]
Palakkad Madhalam was originated at Peruvemba. Peruvemba is a small town of 18,433 people near Chittur-Thathamangalam in Palakkad - Pollachi road. The railway line between Palakkad and Pollachi passes through Peruvemba and there is a railway station at Pudunagaram village which 2.7 km away.
Classification[edit]
Madhalam is essentially an Indian version of the perucussion instrument '''drum''' with specialized features. It is made of wood of the jackfruit tree. It has two sides with different sound proudced from each side. As the madhalam is heavy, it has to be hung on cloth ropes on the body of the artist. The Madhalam is a very important instrument for all Indian musical performacnes like the Keli, Kathakali and Panchavadhyam.
According to Indian traditions, Madhalam is a holy instrument or Devavadhyam because it reminds the sound of Lord Shiva and Lord Parvathi. The structure of the Madhalam also resembles Shiva Linga which is the embodiment of Lord Shiva's divine power.
Panchavadhyam[edit]
Panchavadyam is a kind of orchestra using four percussion instruments and one wind instrument. Panchavadyam is unique because of its pyramid like rhythm. The tempo of music increases constanatlly with the decrease in beats. Panchavadhyam is supposed to be a feudal art and it was widely established by 1930s. Panchavadhyam is essentiallly a form of temple art and today it is even performed to welcome imporant guests arriving in Kerala. Panchavadhyam is performed during the Thrissur Pooram in a style valled Madhathil Varavu.
Training in Panchavadhyam is still given at Kerala Kalamandalam in Cheruthuruthy and Kshetra Kalapeetham in Vaikom.
The GI Status[edit]
The federal government of India has honoured the Palakkadan Madhalam with the inclusion in the Geographical Indication (GI) Act. According to the application fled by the government, Madhalam is a prominent musical instrument because it is one of the instruments used in Kathalkali and Panchavadyam.
How is Palakkadan Maddalam made[edit]
There are traditional families in Palakkad who make Maddalam in a very divine tradition. Formerly the wood of Karingallly and Chempakkam were used. Now the main source of wood is the jackfruit tree ubiquitous in Kerala. The two sides of the Maddalam are covered by leather made of buffalo skin. The right tension can be created only by expert hands. Special tools like chisels, pliers and hooks are used for making the Maddalam.
The government has made the following statement in the petition for GI status: "The traditional artistic work ( of Palakkad Maddalam) is national heritage and socio-culturally attached to the stakeholders of the product along with the consumers. The registration of a dedicated logo will provide legal protection in the form of ownership right to the stakeholders. It will also make the consumers safe from purchasing infringed products. As such, the registration of logo is essential for the product." [6]
Cherpalasseri Sivan[edit]
Cherapalasseri Sivan is an expert in Maddalam art and he has won the Poomully Aaram Thampuran Award. He has also received the Kerala Sangeeta Nataka Akademi Award and Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship. His father Chazhiyatt Appunni Nair was a fine singer. Sivan studied Madhalam from Gandhiseva Sadanam school Pathirippala. His teacher was Paloor Achuthan Nair.[7]
Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier[edit]
Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier is a famous expert in Maddalam art. He has also specialised in Kathakali. He was born in Thillenkery, Kannur in 1952. His father was Krishna Warrier and his mother was Madhavi Warrasiar. He joined Kalamandalam at the age of 15 and was trained in Maddalam undear teachers like Kalamandalam Appukutty Poduval and Narayanan Nambeesan.
In 1981, he joined [[FACT]] as a Maddalam teacher. He has written many books on Maddalam including "Maddalam Enna Mangalavadyam", published in 2003. His performance was watched by many VIPs including the British prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
Experts in Madhalam[edit]
- Chottanikkara Surendran
- Pulappatta Balakrishnan
- Thrikkur Rajan
- Cherpulassery Sivan
- Thichur Vasu Varrier
- Edappal Appunni Nair
- Kaplingat Vasudevan Namboothiri
- Kunisseri Chandran
- Chirakkala Sankara Marar
- Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier
- Kundalassery Krishnankutty
- Sadanam Ramachandran
- Kallekkulangara Krishna Varrier
- Cherpulassery hariharan
- Thrippalamunda Nataraja Varrier
- Odakkali Sankaramani Marar
- Kongad Sukumaran
- Eravath Appu Marar
- Kalamandalam Sasi
- Eloor Arun Deva Warrier
- Peruvanam Haridas
- Panangattukara Prakasan
- Sadanam Bharatharajan
- Kundalassery Manu
- Kundalassery Ratheesh
- Kundalassery Hari.
References[edit]
- ↑ Ajayan (29 December 2009). "A tiny Kerala village steeped in drumbeats". Live Mint. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ G. P. (14 November 2011). "Preserving a traditional craft". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ K. Rajan (2 January 2009). "For the right beat". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ Government of India (30 November 2015). "Maddalam of Palakkad - GI Application No. 516" (PDF). Geographical Indications Journal. 77: 76. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ↑ Manish Raj (29 May 2015). "'Palakkad Maddalam' seeks logo under GI Act". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
- ↑ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Palakkad-Maddalam-seeks-logo-under-GI-Act/articleshow/47464202.cms
- ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/master-of-the-maddalam/article1019450.ece
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