Music Of Kathakali 

Music is an essential element of Kathakali. The language of the songs used for Kathakali is Manipravalam, a blend of Sanskrit with the local language, Malayalam. Even though the songs are set for “ragas” based on Carnatic music, there is a distinct style of rendition, known as the “sopanam” style, incorporating the moods of temple songs that were sung at the time when Kathakali was evolving. Sopanam has a very slow tempo and is free of embellishments, giving the actors complete freedom to exercise their art of expression.

A Kathakali orchestra is composed of a lead vocalist (“ponnani”) keeping time with a resounding gong made of bell metal (chegala), which can be struck with a wooden stick; and a minor vocalist (“singidi”) with a pair of clanking cymbals (elethalam); a chenda (cylindrical drum with a loud but sweet sound) player and maddalam player. Sometimes a percussion instrument known as an edakka is also used.

Instruments & Music 

A ‘Kathakali’ performance includes various instruments that encompass three major drums namely ‘Itaykka’, ‘Centa’ and ‘Maddalam’. Music plays a significant role in this form of classical art creating variations of tones setting and corresponding to the mood of a particular scene. Clifford and Betty elucidate some of the important musical arrangements typifying and going in line with the mood of the scene. These include ‘Cempata’ that is used in different sequences like during combat between good and evil and while concluding a scene; ‘Atanta’ during scenes consisting of divine and virtuous characters; ‘Muri Atanta’ during heroic, comic and light-hearted acts; ‘Triputa’ in scenes involving teachers and sages; ‘Pancari’ during repugnant scenes; and ‘Campa’ during scenes portraying clash, argument, tension and discord between lovers.

The voice artists also contribute significantly in the entire act with not only delivering the relevant lines but also setting the mood and context of the scene by modulating their voice to express the temperament of the character. In case of expressing anger the artist would deliver the lines in clear and sharp high tone while in case of a plea the artist applies a more delicate and exhausted tone.