Malayalam Music

Kerala is one of the most beautiful states in India. Its lush greenness is par naturalness. No doubt it is called ‘gods own country’. Musically this country is known as Sopanam. Some famous singers of Kerala are Janadhana Nedungadi, Damodar Marar and Neralattu Rama Poduval.
Kerala has musicians that are world renowned, infact L. Athira Krishna granddaughter of Vidwan Gopala Pillai has gone down in history with her 32-hour non-stop violin concert. She has been recorded in the Guinness book of world records.
Kerala’s music is unique in its own sense and hence cannot be simply categorized as basic Indian music. There has always been an emotional debate if Kerala’s music can stand independently apart from the entire South Indian music. While some debate the music in the south of India is all the same as it follows similar patterns and rhythm, some argue that it is distinct from karnatic music.
The criteria for the differences are rituals, genres, tala system (rhythm), musical instruments and the approach towards the rhythm and music by the musician community.
From the profound traditions and professional training that is received by the musicians, Kerala music can be bifurcated into Kavu and Kshetram. Infact as heavy trade relations existed between the state and south East Asia, one can find noticeable similarities in the music then used.
There are genres that are entirely related to instrumental music like Kombu Pattu. This C shaped melody instrument that plays center stage among the other instruments used. The kombu produces only 3 notes – sa, pa and higher sa. This instrument is played by 3, 5, 7 or 9 musicians with one as the leader. There is a certain rhythmic patter that they all follow and the leader accentuates it or repeats the rhythm on the spot.
There are different melams that are held outside and inside the temple. Pandi melam is one that is held outside the temple, it is the most traditional of all melams. The other one is called the panchari melam and is held inside the temple. It begins from outside the temple and slowly enters the temple.
They make their way into the temple clockwise and stop at the eight wind directions and then perform. This way paying tribute to the gods located at different parts of the temple. The procession begins by laying the divine idol of the temple on an elephant or a Nambutiri priest takes it inside.
This panchari melam is performed either elaborately or on a smaller scale. It all depends on the occasion. If it is a grand feast then the elaborate version is done else if it is a smaller occasion the smaller version of it is undertaken. At every festival in south Indian the panchari melam   is performed at the temple.
There are other melams too like the chempata, pandi, druvam, chempha and anchatanta. 
Music in Kerala has reached such heights that there are schools established to develop the skills of the younger generations. You can get professional training in Kathakali, Thullal, Mohiniyattam, Koodiyattam and Panchavadyam.