Government of India
QR Code
KULAL
Type: SUSHIR VADYA
It is a wind instrument made of metal, wood, and palm lead. Found in Kerala, it is used as an instrument for melodic music during festivals for solo playing called Kulal Pa and during the performance of Kootiyattam.
KULAL in Kerala
Material: Metal, Wood, Palm Leaf
It is also called Kuram-kulal (literally, short pipe). It is a diminutive type of Nagaswaram about 9 inches to 12 inches. It is smaller than the North Indian Shehnai. A bell-metal shaped pipe is attached at the bottom of the conical wooden pipe. It has a reed mouthpiece. It is mainly used as an instrument for rhythm during Chenda Melam. It is also used as an instrument for melodic music during festivals for solo playing called Kulal Pa and during the performance of Kootiyattam. A similar Kulal used by the Paraya community is even smaller and has only 4 or 5 holes and the reed is made of palm leaf. Only 3 or 4 notes are produced and this instrument is used during Kali worship by this community and during harvest festivals like buffalo race, etc. A similar instrument used by Elava community especially in the Palghat district is called Elava Vadyam. It is more refined than the Parayan Kulal but not as refined as the Kuram Kulal. This is also used during festivals of Bhadrakali temples.
Recognizing the ongoing need to position itself for the digital future, Indian Culture is an initiative by the Ministry of Culture. A platform that hosts data of cultural relevance from various repositories and institutions all over India.
Indian Culture App
The Indian Culture Portal is a part of the National Virtual Library of India project, funded by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The portal has been created and developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. Data has been provided by organisations of the Ministry of Culture.
Email Id : indian-culture@gov.in