The Yakshagana bells or Yakshagana cymbal are a pair of finger bells made of a special alloy (traditional five metal) used in Yakshagana

Yakshagana

Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...

(Badagu Thittu). They are used by the singer to keep the tempo and rhythm of Yakshagana performance. The tone of the bells usually fit the tonic of the singer or several octaves higher. Although pairs of finger bells are available for different keys(notes) due to their high pitch usually singers use bells of any key. Professional singers maintain and treasure their personal finger bells.

Methods of use

Singer holds the thread tied to the bells and hits the edge of one bell to the face of the other bell. There are techniques to produce at least three different sounds. For fast rhythms less prominent hand is rolled to facilitate fast beating. A closed hit of the bells produces a sound without any overtone and with sudden decay. This stroke is often used to indicate change in rhythm or tempo to other musicians.

External links

• Yashagana Shruti Box Software Online/WINDOWS/Linux/Mobile/iPhone/Android.