Sanskrit dramas by Kerala authors (Study)
by S. Subramania Iyer | 1971 | 172,221 words
This essay represents and English study of the Sanskrit dramas by Kerala authors. The influence that Sanskrit has exerted on the people of Kerala in their cultural, social and literary fields is of great significance to them. Their language and literature, religion and philosophy, art and architecture, all have their roots deep in Sanskrit. In this...
6. Musical Instruments
The following five items form the instrumental orchestra for Kutiyattam, 1. Mizhavu drum played by the Nambyars, 2. Cymbal played by the Nangyar sitting on a cloth spread to the right of the first Mizhavu. She also contributes vocal music, 3. A small but delicate and sensitive drum called Idakka, played with a small stick by en artist standing near the second Mizhevu, 4. Kompu (trumphet), and 5. Kuzhal (Pipe). Those five instruments are technically known as Pancavadya. The blowing of the conch shell (Sankha) is also done at times. These instruments are simultaneously played only when the hero enters the stage.