Maddalam and Chenda Keli

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Maddalam and Chenda Keli Keli is a percussion music ensemble, which features one solo artist playing either chenda or maddalam. Although the structure is similar to tayambaka its emphasis is not on improvisation, but on the performance of compositional elements. There are two forms of keli – maddalam (two or more maddalam and one ilatalam) and chenda keli (one maddalam, one chenda and one ilatalam), depending on the combination of instruments.

From: Killius, Rolf. 2006 ’Ritual Music and Hindu Rituals of Kerala.’ New Delhi: BR Rhythms. ISBN: 81-88827-07-X; with author permission