The Tala system, percussion instruments and an interview with a mrdangam vidwan of South India

Includes bibliographical references (pages [145]-150)This paper consists of three parts discussing different aspects of rhythm and percussion from South India. South Indian rhythm is perhaps the most highly developed in the world. Chapter 1 contains the reasons why this topic was chosen for this thesis. Information attained through study with a South Indian percussionist and much private research will illustrate the complexity of this rhythmic system in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses the percussion instruments used in the classical repertoire in South India. A detailed description of the history, composition, construction, playing techniques and role of the instrument is given for the mrdangam, kanjira, ghatam, tavil and morsing. An interview with a South Indian percussionist and scholar with whom this author has studied is presented in Chapter 4. This interview explores the life and teachings of one of the world’s great percussionists.M. Mus. (Master of Music