Mizhavu

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

A mizhav or mizhavu is a big copper drum played as an accompanying percussion instrument in the Koodiyattam and Koothu, performing arts of Kerala. It is played by the Ambalavasi Nambiar community. After 1965, when started a mizhavu reppetry in kalamandalam mizhavu break the cast barrier and nowadays anyone can play mizhavu in koodiyattam, nangiar koothu, chakyar koothu, and mizhavu thayambaka.

The drum is played only with hands. The Sanskrit name of nambiar "Pānivāda" ('pāni' means hands and 'vāda' comes from the verb 'vādanam' meaning playing, altogether meaning the one who plays with hands) comes from this reason.

Mizhavu is treated as a "Brahmachaarya" and it is considered as sacred. It is used to accompany the holy ritualistic temple performance of Koodiyattam and Koothu. Only Ambalavasi Nambiar community members are allowed to play it inside temples or Koothambalams still.

Kalamandalam Achuthanandan playing Mizhavu for Chakyar Koothu

കുഞ്ചൻ നമ്പ്യാർ ഉപയോഗിച്ചിരുന്ന മിഴാവ്-അമ്പലപ്പുഴ ശ്രീകൃഷ്ണക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ സൂക്ഷിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്

See also

• Māni Mādhava Chākyār
• Nātyakalpadrumam
• Chakyar Koothu
• Koodiyattam
• Nambiar (Ambalavasi)
• Chakyar
• Mani Damodara Chakyar
• Kathakali
• Mohiniyattam
• Thulall

Further reading

• Nātyakalpadrumam, by Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar, Sangeet Natak Akademi- New Delhi, 1975.