- Elathalam
Elathalam, or Ilathalam, is a metallic musical instrument which resembles a miniature pair of
cymbal s. This instrument fromKerala in southernIndia is completely made out ofbronze and has two pieces in it.Elathalam is played by keeping one part of the cymbal in left hand hand banging the other cymbal to the one in left hand. Even though this instrument is small by size, it does have more thickness than the common cymbal, and thus gives a distinct chime.
Elathalam is never a lead instrument but is used in a number of ethnic Kerala percussion ensembles like
Panchavadyam ,Chenda melam andThayambaka besides by second singer on aKathakali stage besides providing the beat inKuzhal Pattu andKombu Pattu .Masters of Elathalam
Leading elathalam masters of the present day include Cheriyath Thanku Marar, Chelakkara Unnikrishnan, Maniyamparambil Mani, Kothachira Sekharan Nair, Chengamanad Paramu Nair, Pallavur Raghava Pisharody, Pookottur Sasidharan (Asiad Sasi), Guruvayur Velutty and Peruvanam Murali.
ee also
*
Pandi Melam
*Panchari melam
*Thayambaka
*Panchavadyam
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