Chengila
.jpg) Chengila at District Heritage Museum, Palakkad | |
| Percussion instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Cennala |
| Classification | Idiophone |
| Related instruments | |
| Gong | |
The chengila, or cennala, is an Indian gong which helps the traditional singer or dancer keep time.[1]
Context and playing technique
[edit]The chengila is a percussion instrument that maintains a steady beat and provides musical background. It is a metal gong that a player strikes to mark the tempo. In Kathakali, the chengila and the ilathalam cymbals are used together to bring out the rhythm of the music.[2]
Cultural importance
[edit]In Kerala, the chengila is used in many different traditional art forms [3] including Chemmanakali, Kathakali, and Krishnanattam.[4] In Kathakali it is part of the percussion ensemble that accompanies the two vocalists, the ponnani and the shinkidi, along with the chenda, maddalam and idakka drums.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Chengila". Online Highways LLC. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
- 1 2 "Traditional Music Instruments of Kathakali". Kerala Tourism. Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
- ↑ Manu, Meera. "Rustic Rhapsody". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
- ↑ "Kathalki Dance". Keralahistory. Archived from the original on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2013-09-17.