Chande
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The chande is a drum used in the traditional music of South India. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana and Kathakali. Rhythms are based on Karnataka Sangeta. There are different varieties in this instrument. Two major varieties are the Badagu Thittu Chande (Northern School) and the Thenku Thittu Chande (Southern School). The later is also spelt as chenda and is used exclusively in the art forms of southern costal Karnataka and Kerala. This article deals with Badagu Thittu Chande used exclusively in Yakshagana.
Contents |
[edit] History
In ancient Hindu sculpture, painting, and mythology, the chande is often depicted as the instrument used to declare war (Rana Chande - war drum). This instrument can produce complicated rhythms that can heard from more than 3 km.
Its body is constructed from wood of the jackfruit tree. It follows the system of talas (or taalams) as in South Indian Karnataka Sangeta but also includes folk and traditional compositions.
[edit] Physical components
The circular drum head is made of processed goat skin. Usually there are 16 hinges that hold the drum head to the wooden trunk using thick ropes. Wedges inserted inside the ropes are twisted to tighten or loosen the drum head while tuning. A tubular wooden wedge sits at one edge of the durm head to be used by the stick of dominant hand. Traditionally the chande must be tuned to the tonic of the singer.
[edit] Posture
The chande is played resting it vertically on the floor using two sticks.
[edit] Methods of use
The sticks are flexible and are usually made from a type of Bamboo. The head of the stick used for the dominant hand is thicker and the body tapers and the end where the hand grips the stick is of normal size. The other stick is slightly thicker and less tapered. The dominant stick usually rests on the wedge of the drum head and the stick is rolled to produce the fluttering sound. It is this feature that gives chande an advantage of producing multiple fillers in between the beets that hands or fingers usually will not be able to produce on drums. It is played in a forceful manner.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Chande video (the chande is to the singers' right, and a mridangam is being played on the platform behind the singers)
