Kerala Music

Early Musical Tradition
Musically Kerala presents a pageant not found anywhere else in India, both in its folk form and its art form. Music had its origin in the primitive plays and dances. It is possible that different kinds of rhythms in nature made the primitive people dance and sing in conformity with the rhythm. The rhythms in the clank of stones, clash of stone - spear heads against wooden shields, the fall of wa-terdrops etc., have inspired men to identify different kinds of rhythms. Also sound produced by beating the skin stretched across the open ends of the hollow trunks or earthen pitchers, the sounds produced by the wind blowing through the reeds, the sound of birds and animals etc. appealed to man's sense of music, and led to the invention of musical instruments. When languages came into existence, the use of similer sounding words led to the development of poetry.
In the sangam age there were poets, who composed songs under royal patronage. The wandering minstrels represented another group which also enjoyed the protection of kings and other rulers. Kerala's folk music, though not refined, is rich with a rugged beauty that is really genuine with its rhyme and rhythm. These are mostly devotional in nature like the Sarpapattu, Bhadrakalipattu, Ayyappanpattu etc. Sopanasangita indigenous style of classical music developed in the temples of Kerala, Gita Govinda or Ashtapadi of Jayadeva contributed much for the development of Sopana Samgitam. It is believed that this style derived its name from the Sopana or flight of steps leading to the Srikovil (sanctum sanctorum) the place for the ritual singing of Ashtapadi. Marars and Kurups who were hereditary experts in Sopana-' sangita are now rare and only in a few temples like Guruvayoor, Vaikom, Ambalapuzha etc. Ramapurathu War-rier who adorned the court of Marthanda Varma (1729-1758) translated the Gita Govinda into Malayalam, he introduced some new innovations to Kerala music. Kunjan Nambiar who composed Tullal songs also contributed considerably to the emergence and growth of Kerala musical culture.

Swati Tirunal (1809-46)
The royal family of Travancore was renowned for its patronage of art. Some of them have themselves been artists of outstanding merit. Many of the Rajas of Travancore had dedicated themselves to the noble cause of art and literature.

Swati Tirunal Balarama Varma of Travancore was a king among the musicians and a musician among the kings. His reign has been called the 'Hey day' of Kerala music. Swati Tirunal himself was a great musician and a composer. He was a patron of music and musicians. His court was adorned by some of the glittering stars of the age. Among them Meruswami, who contributed considerably to the growth of Hindustani and Karnatic music occupied the position of Chief Court musician. Swati Tirunal adopted Meruswami as his music teacher. Meruswami was honoured with the title of Kokilakanta. Vativelu, Ponna-yya, Chinnayya and Sivanandam were the Tanjore brothers, who adorned the court of Swati. They were also the disciples of Muthuswami Dikshitar. Vativelu introduced violin in Karanataka music. Subbukutti Ayya, a master of Vina, was another famous musician in the Court of Swati Tirunal.
An extraordinary genius, Swati Tirunal became well-versed in Sanskrit, Malayalam, Telugu, Kandada, Hindustani, Hindi, English etc. He has written a number of kritis, varnams, padams, and javalis in different Indian languages. His genius did not restrict itself to south Indian music. He has to his credit a number of Hindustani compositions. Hindustani musicians like Sulaiman Khadar Sahib and Alaudin adorned his court. Swati Tirunal who was a generous partron of all fine arts extended his patron-age to Karnatic music. Hindustani Music, Mohiniyattam, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali etc. Swati Tirunal was a veteran in all arts. Most of his works are dedicated to Sripadmanabha — the family deity of Travancore Royal family. Navarathri songs are his famous contribution. In different languages he composed 350 'Krities'. Swati Tirunal Maharaja died in 1846.

Irayatnman Thampi
Irayamman Thampi was a shining light in Swati Tirunal's court. Iraymman Thampi was a close associate of Swati Tirunal. Thampi collaborated with the Maharaha in his manifold efforts to promote the cause of cultural development. He composed 28 Sanskrit Kirthanas 55 Varnas and 22 facias.

Shadkala Govinda Marar
Shadkala Govinda Marar was a famous singer of the 19th century. He was a native of Ramamangalam at Muvattupuzha. Marar was physically a cripple but had a sweet voice. He was interested in devotional songs. Govinda Marar, had the rare distinction of being able to sing 'pallavis' to six degree of time, this ability gave him the epithet Shadkala. He could also devise a Tamburu with seven strings instead of four. At a time he could play 'Tamburu' with his hands and Layavadya with his legs. He presented to Swati Tirunal a rich collection of songs he had obtained from different places. Taint Tyagaraja was so much moved by the inspired performance of Govinda Marar at his place.
In addition to Shadkala Govinda Marar other famous musician who had contributed much for the growth of Kerala music were Parameswar Bhagavatar of Palghat, Maliyekkal Krishna Marar, Kuttikunju Tankachi, K.C. Kesava Pillai, Attur Krishna Pisharadi, Palghat Mani, and Cham-bai Vaidyanatha Bhagavadar.
The greatest musician of Kerala today is K.J.Yesudas, whose fame has spred over the whole of India and even abroad. He was a disciple of Chem-bai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar.

Folk Music
Kerala has a commendable record in folk music and light music. The Vadakkan Pattukal, the Thekkan pattukal, the Kalyana Pattukal and .the Mappila Pattukal represent folk music. Songs composed and sung in connection with such art forms as Ayyappan Pattu, Kolattam, Kummi, Kaikottikali add to the list of folk songs. To the rich heritage of folk songs could also be included boat songs or Vanchipattukal sung in connection with boat regattas. Light music has also a rich heritage in Kerala. They are widely used in cinema and theatre. Light music is very popular in Kerala.

Instrumental Music
Kerala has several popular musical instruments. They may be grouped into percussion, wind and stringed instruments. Mridangam, Dolak, Chenda, Timila, Udukku and Edakka, represent the percussion instruments. Most popular wind instruments are Nagaswaram, Kombu, Kuzhal etc. Among the string instruments, mention must be made of Veena, Tamburu, Sarangi and Violin. Sankhu (Conch) and Elathalam (Cymbals) are also used for different performances. Mizhavu is an instrument used for Kuttus and Kutiyattam. The Kathakali is performed to the accompaniment of Chenda and Maddalam. In most of the temples of Kerala Edakka is played while singing devotional songs.
Temples have developed typical art forms Chenda Melam, Tayambaka and Panchavadyam are the most important. Chenda Melam is associated with temple festivals, when such instruments as Chenda, Kombu, and Kuzhal are used. Tayambaka is yet another temple Vadya of Kerala. Panchavadyam is a popular unique temple art in which Maddalam, Edakka, Timila, Kombu and Elathalam in conjunction with Sankhu and Kuzhal. The unique feature of this art is the immense dexterity shown in synchronising the sounds of these instruments played at different pitches.
Nagaswaram played in connection with temple festivals and marriages is also popular in Kerala. Nagaswara-melam is another unique vadyam.