Kerala music

thumb|right|Mizhavu kept in Mizhavana (wooden box made especially to keep the mizhavu).

thumb|Chenda Melam (ചെണ്ട മേളം) thumb|Pandi Melam thumb|Chenda (ചെണ്ട) thumb|Chenda and Koal (stick) (ചെണ്ടയും കോലും)

Oppana is a popular form of social entertainment among the Mappila (Kerala Muslims) community of Kerala, South India, prevalent throughout Kerala, especially in Malabar. The term Oppana is believed to be originated from the Arabic word "Affna". Oppana is traditionally used in various important cultural ceremonies, and in particular, is a component of all Mappila weddings. In Kerala, this art form has been revived with much popularity on the performing stages of the Youth Festivals of the student community. thumb|Oppana performed at a college arts fest|326x326pxOppana is generally presented by

thumb|right|250px|An idakka

brass instrument

thumb|right|Timila

thumb|Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri Ayyappan Kaavu, Kerala, India thumb|Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam Panchavadyam (Malayalam: പഞ്ചവാദ്യം), literally meaning an orchestra of five instruments, is basically a temple art form that has evolved in Kerala. Of the five instruments, four — timila, maddalam, ilathalam and idakka — belong to the percussion category, while the fifth, kombu, is a wind instrument.

alt=Duffmuttu Artists from Kerala|thumb|Duffmuttu Artists from Kerala Duffmuttu (also: Dubhmuttu) is an art form prevalent in the Malabar region of the states of Kerala and Karnataka in south India. It derives its name from the duff, a percussion instrument made of wood and ox skin. The word duff is of Arabic origin and is also called a thappitta.

Thayambaka or tayambaka is a type of solo chenda performance that developed in the south Indian state of Kerala, in which the main player at the centre improvises rhythmically on the beats of half-a-dozen or a few more chenda and ilathalam players around.