Chande
Encyclopedia
The chande is a drum
used in the traditional and classical music of South India
and particularly in Karnataka
. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana
. It follows the Yakshagana Tala
system. The rhythms are based on pre-classical music forms, folk groves and some rhythms are similar to Karnataka Sangeta
and to lesser extent Hindustani Sangeetha. There are different varieties in this instrument. Two major varieties are the Badagu Thittu Chande (Northern School) and the Thenku Thittu Chande (Southern School). The later is also spelt as chenda
and is used exclusively in the art forms of southern costal Karnataka and Kerala. This article deals with Badagu Thittu Chande used exclusively in Yakshagana
of Karnataka. The chande used in Badagu Thittu is structurally and acoustically different from chenda
used in Kerala.
Its body is constructed from wood of the jackfruit
(or Kakke/Baine/Jambe) tree. It follows the Yakshagana
system of talas (or taalams) that resemble South Indian Karnataka Sangeta
talas but also includes folk and traditional compositions. The rhythm system itself has pre-classical origins.
. The head of the stick used for the dominant hand is thicker and the body tapers and the end where the hand grips the stick is of normal size. The other stick is slightly thicker and less tapered. The dominant stick usually rests on the wedge of the drum head and the stick is rolled to produce the fluttering sound. It is this feature that gives chande an advantage of producing multiple fillers in between the beats that hands or fingers usually will not be able to produce on drums. It is played in a forceful manner. The chande groves form what is called the Yakshagana Tala
.
and their combination. For advanced performances players learn double (Eradhoralke) and triple rolling (Moorhorlke).
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
used in the traditional and classical music of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
and particularly in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. It provides rhythmic accompaniment in several dance dramas of South India such as Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
. It follows the Yakshagana Tala
Yakshagana Tala
Yakshagana Tala , is a rhythmical pattern in Yakshagana that is determined by a composition called Yakshagana Padya. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them...
system. The rhythms are based on pre-classical music forms, folk groves and some rhythms are similar to Karnataka Sangeta
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
and to lesser extent Hindustani Sangeetha. There are different varieties in this instrument. Two major varieties are the Badagu Thittu Chande (Northern School) and the Thenku Thittu Chande (Southern School). The later is also spelt as chenda
Chenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka State in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as Chande....
and is used exclusively in the art forms of southern costal Karnataka and Kerala. This article deals with Badagu Thittu Chande used exclusively in Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
of Karnataka. The chande used in Badagu Thittu is structurally and acoustically different from chenda
Chenda
The Chenda is a cylindrical percussion instrument used widely in the state of Kerala, and Tulu Nadu of Karnataka State in India. In Tulu Nadu it is known as Chande....
used in Kerala.
History
In ancient Hindu sculpture, painting, and mythology, the chande is often depicted as the instrument used to declare war (Rana Chande - war drum). This instrument can produce complicated rhythms that can be heard from more than 3 km.Its body is constructed from wood of the jackfruit
Jackfruit
The jackfruit is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family . It is native to parts of Southern and Southeast Asia. It is the national fruit of Bangladesh, . The jackfruit tree is believed to be indigenous to the southwestern rain forests of India...
(or Kakke/Baine/Jambe) tree. It follows the Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
system of talas (or taalams) that resemble South Indian Karnataka Sangeta
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
talas but also includes folk and traditional compositions. The rhythm system itself has pre-classical origins.
Physical components
The circular drum head is made of processed cow skin. Usually there are 12 hinges that hold the drum head to the wooden trunk using thick ropes. Wedges inserted inside the ropes are twisted to tighten or loosen the drum head while tuning. A tubular wooden wedge sits at one edge of the durm head to be used by the stick of dominant hand. Traditionally the chande must be tuned to the tonic of the singer.Chande sticks
Chande sticks are drum sticks called Chande Kolu in Kannada. These are specially made for chande. The shape and thickness varies along the stick.Methods of use
The sticks are flexible and are usually made from a type of BambooBamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
. The head of the stick used for the dominant hand is thicker and the body tapers and the end where the hand grips the stick is of normal size. The other stick is slightly thicker and less tapered. The dominant stick usually rests on the wedge of the drum head and the stick is rolled to produce the fluttering sound. It is this feature that gives chande an advantage of producing multiple fillers in between the beats that hands or fingers usually will not be able to produce on drums. It is played in a forceful manner. The chande groves form what is called the Yakshagana Tala
Yakshagana Tala
Yakshagana Tala , is a rhythmical pattern in Yakshagana that is determined by a composition called Yakshagana Padya. Tala also decides how a composition is enacted by dancers. It is similar to Tala in other forms of Indian music, but is structurally different from them...
.
Audio Sample
Yakshaganic drum rudiments
The students of Chande have to learn some rudiments to be able to master playing Chande. These include the following.Rolling
Learning "Horalike" (literally rolling) involves learning:- Ka da thka
- Ta ka da
and their combination. For advanced performances players learn double (Eradhoralke) and triple rolling (Moorhorlke).
External links
- Yashagana Shruti Box Software Online/WINDOWS/Linux/Mobile/iPhone/Android.
- Chande video (the chande is to the singers' right, and a MaddaleMaddaleThe maddale is a percussion instrument from Karnataka, India. It is the primary rhythmic accompaniment in a Yakshagana ensemble along with Chande. Maddale used in Yakshagana looks similar to Mridangam but is markedly different in structure, acustics, playing techniques and the rhythm system ....
is being played on the platform behind the singers) - A Chade Tala demonstration by artist Chande Mahabhaleshwara Mudugodu on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- A Chande rhythm demonstration - Keshav Bhandari Karki on YouTube