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Description: | The timila drum leads the pancavadyam, a temple orchestra that plays for Hindu rituals and festivals in Kerala. When playing, the timila player stoops forwards so that the drum, hanging from shoulder straps, is almost horizontal. He uses both hands to play the drum. Most musicians today use fitted thimble-like finger caps (citte) made of rice paste and cotton to protect their fingers whilst they are taking part in performances that can last up to five hours. Like other temple ensembles in Kerala, the pancavdyam, meaning 'five instruments' is dominated by percussion. Four instruments out of the five belong in this category: the timila, maddalam and idakka drums, and ilatalam cymbals. The kombu, trumpet, is also part of the ensemble. The sound of the conch trumpet, sankh, symbolises the sacred syllable Aum, and the instrument is blown three times before the pancavadyam ensemble begins to play. Panacavadyam music includes both fixed compositions and improvisation. The tempo of the music increases as the number of beats in the time cycle decreases, making pancavadyam music compelling and exhilarating for participants and listeners alike.
Timila (thimala) (Malayalam language); hourglass-shaped double membrane drum. The hollow shell and the hoops over which the membranes are lapped and glued are made of jackwood (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) by a carpenter, in accordance with the instructions of the drummer Cherussery Kuttan Marar. Only one head is struck. This has a single layer of calf-skin, the opposite one has a double layer. There are six holes in each head for the twisted leather lacing, arranged in a V pattern and overwound at the waist. Made in Cherussery, Thaikkatussery, Thrissur.
The wooden drum body is formed on a lathe machine by a carpenter following instructions given by the musician. The leather hides are provided by a traditional craftsman (kollan or tolkollan), who specialises in producing drum membranes. Nylon string, shoulder belt and protection cloth are bought at the local market. | Publisher: | http://www.horniman.ac.uk/ | Subjects: | Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) cotton wood hide one skin used for playing timilas vegetable fibre 211.242.11 Individual double-skin hourglass-shaped drums hourglass drums | Source: | Horniman Museum | Identifier: | oai:oai.horniman.ac.uk:object-112959 |
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