FAQ

What are the Traditional Music Instruments of Kathakali?

The musical accompaniment in Kathakali involves various instruments. The lead singer, referred to as the Ponnani, and the assistant, known as the Shinkiti, vocalize the text of the play known as aattakatha. They utilize a shruthipetti (pitch-keeping device) for maintaining the correct pitch. The chengila (gong) and ilathalam (cymbals) are employed to highlight the rhythm. Additionally, percussion instruments like chenda, maddalam and idakka play a crucial role in providing a dynamic musical backdrop to the performance.