Question

Classify the rhythmic instruments used in the musical concerts and their importance in detail.

Hint:

Classify by how the sound is made (skin versus body of the instrument) and then say how they help a concert. Add stage and microphone points.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for a classification of the rhythmic instruments (3 marks) and their importance in a concert, including their stage and microphone position (3 marks).

Step 2: Classification: skin instruments (Avanaddha vadya):
These produce sound from a stretched skin. Mridangam: a two-faced drum, the main percussion of Carnatic music.
Kanjira: a small frame drum with a single skin.
Thavil: a barrel drum used with the nadaswaram.

Step 3: Classification: solid or clay instruments (Ghana vadya and others):
These make sound from the body of the instrument itself. Ghatam: a clay pot played with the fingers and palms.
Morsing: a small metal lip-instrument played with the mouth and fingers.
Jalra and other cymbals: struck metal plates.

Step 4: Importance of rhythmic instruments:
They keep the tala and the speed steady for the singer and the other instruments.
They give strength and colour to the music and support the main artist.
They play the tani avartanam, where artists show their skill.
They add variety through korvai and mohra, and give a strong finish to the item.

Step 5: Position on stage:
The main artist sits in the centre. The percussion artists sit slightly behind and beside, so that they can follow the beats. The mridangam is placed near the main artist. The ghatam, kanjira and morsing artists sit next to the mridangam, so that they can play in tani avartanam together.

Step 6: Microphone positions:
The mridangam needs a microphone for each head, or one near the middle. The ghatam needs a microphone near its mouth and body. The kanjira needs one near its skin. The morsing needs a microphone near the mouth. A sound check keeps the volume balanced with the singer.

Final Answer:
Rhythmic instruments are classified as skin instruments and solid or clay instruments. They give the beat, support the lead and enrich the concert. \[ \boxed{\text{Classification and importance of rhythmic instruments}} \]