Chengila

Chengila
Chengila at District Heritage Museum, Palakkad
Percussion instrument
Other namesCennala
Classification Idiophone
Related instruments
Gong
Singer Pathiyur with chengila

The chengila, or cennala, is an Indian gong which helps the traditional singer or dancer keep time.

Context and playing technique

The chengila is a percussion instrument that maintains a steady beat and provides musical background. It is a metal gong that a player strikes to mark the tempo. In Kathakali, the chengila and the ilathalam cymbals are used together to bring out the rhythm of the music.

Cultural importance

In Kerala, the chengila is used in many different traditional art forms including Chemmanakali, Kathakali, and Krishnanattam. In Kathakali it is part of the percussion ensemble that accompanies the two vocalists, the ponnani and the shinkidi, along with the chenda, maddalam and idakka drums.

References

  1. ↑ "Chengila". Online Highways LLC. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  2. 1 2 "Traditional Music Instruments of Kathakali". Kerala Tourism. Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Manu, Meera. "Rustic Rhapsody". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-17.
  4. ↑ "Kathalki Dance". Keralahistory. Archived from the original on 2013-10-02. Retrieved 2013-09-17.