Instrumental Music – Thayambaka
Thayambaka is another form of Chenda Melam where single or multiple Uruttu Chenda(s) and one or more Veekku Chenda is played. There are only three instruments used in Thayambaka unlike the Panchari or Paandi Melam.
Uruttu Chenda is the main instrument, along with Veekku Chenda and Elathalam. It is an art form developed in the South Indian state of Kerala.
Thayambaka is also mostly played inside the temple premises or for special festivals and related to temples. The rhythmic beats of Thayambaka starts off on a slow note. It gracefully picks up the pace gradually.
A typical Thayambaka can last for 2 to three hours. It initially started as a solo performance – one Uruttu Chenda with accompanying Veekku Chenda and Elathalam. Then the Double, Triple and Multiple forms of Thayambaka evolved.
Let us now watch and listen to a Triple Thayambaka by the prominent artist Sri Mattannur Shankarankutty Marar and his sons Mattannur Sreekanth and Mattannur Sreeraj. The performance was held at the Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy in Thrissur in 2016 on the occasion of Mahabharatha Vicharam Painting Camp.
