331-6

Large earthenware vessel (cracked), with a wooden plectrum, a flat bamboo rod and a protection cloth

This plucked stringed instrument is played by women of the Pulluvan community in Kerala. It is used in combination with with the pulluvan vina, a bowed stringed instrument, to accompany devotional singing addressed to serpent deities. The stringholder is wedged beneath the seated player's legs. The player holds the pot under the left arm and varies the tension of the string to play different notes, moving the pot back and forth with the arm while plucking the string with the plectrum held in the right hand.

Collection Information

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