II. India's Regional/Devotional Music: 3. Temple Musicians of Kerala, "Maddalam Chenda Keli"

Question 1

Which state in India’s southwest coast, is home to a number of distinctive drumming styles (Chenda), which some are central to Hindu temple rituals and village festivals.

Answer 1

Kerala

Question 2

Which drum ensembles accompany processions of a deity through the streets on a temple festival day. Various combinations of players perform at specific points of a festival.

Answer 2

Chenda

Question 3

What is the biggest ensemble, which can consist of as many as 45 chendas (wooden drums), 15 horns, 15 double-reed woodwinds, and 30 pairs of cymbals.

Answer 3

Chenda Melam (Chenda Group)

Question 4

What does ensemble mean?

Answer 4

A group of musicians, actors, or dancers that perform together.

Question 5

Wooden drums hung vertically in front of the player who uses one stick, two sticks, or one stick and one hand. Traditionally played by men.

Answer 5

Chenda

Question 6

In “Maddalam Chenda Keli” which instrument marks the underlying tempo?

Answer 6

Cymbals (Kartal)

Question 7

Where is “Maddalam Chenda Keli” being performed?

Answer 7

Temple

Question 8

“Maddalam Chenda Keli” contains off-beat strokes which are called what?

Answer 8

Syncopated

Question 9

In “Maddalam Chenda Keli” chenda’s are played in double time, quadruple time, and even 8x. This is changing the what ___________ of the song?

Answer 9

Tempo