Thimila is another percussion drum instrument belonging to the Membranophones family of instrument widely used in Kerala, South India. It is also an hour-glass shaped double headed instrument with a hollow body, having skin heads on its both open ends. Thimila is mainly used for Pancha Vadyam and also in some temple rituals. It is also known as Paani. Thimila is also considered as a divine instrument and hence used for temple rituals like Sree-Bali, Sree-Bhootha-Bali etc. in temples.
Construction
The hollow body of Thimila is made of polished Jack Wood and its drumheads are made of Calf Skin. The skins are held together by leather braces. The braces are twined round the waste of the drum, helping in adjusting the tension and controlling the sound produced by the instrument. The body of Thimila resembles two cones kept in opposite direction.
Playing Thimila
Thimila is played suspending it on the shoulder of the player using a strap made of long cloth. Both hands – Palm and Fingers are used in playing the Thimila on one side. Finger Caps are used by players on many occasions.
Let us now watch a basic Thimila lesson from the famous Kerala Kalamandalam.
