Madhalam

The maddalam or madhalam is a drum made out of the wood of the jackfruit tree. It has two sides for playing, made out of leather, and has different kind of sounds on each side. The maddalam is a heavy instrument which is hung around the waist of the person playing, and the player stands all the while to perform.

The maddalam is a vital instrument in traditional Kerala percussion ensembles like Panchavadyam, Keli and Kathakali orchestra.

Maddalam is considered as a DevaVadyam as it resembles Lord Shiva and Lord Parvathi by its sound. It is believed that, Maddalam by its structure, really resembles the "ShivaSakthi" swaroopa, in which the right hand side of the Maddalam resembles Shiva and the left hand side resembles Parvathi. A detailed study on evolution, history, construction, maintenance, and present day Maddalam, can be seen in the one and only one literature on Maddalam done by Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier in his book "Maddalam Enna MangalaVadyam".

Literature on Maddalam

"sivakalam"autobaiography of cherpulassery sivan Kalamandalam Sankara Warrier, famous maddalam maestro has published a book on Maddalam, "Maddalam Enna Mangala Vaadyam" in 2003 with the help of Kerala Kalamandalam. This is the only comprehensive guide to the playing and understanding of this instrument. Also, maddalam finds prominent mention in a book "Thaalangal, Thaalavadyangal" by A.S.N. Nambisan.