Ghatam

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A ghatam is a percussion instrument, used in South Indian Carnatic music. It is nothing but an earthenware pot; the artist uses both hands, wrists, fingers and nails to hit the outer surface of the walls of the ghatam. An airy low-pitch sound is created by hitting over the hole. The artist sometimes uses his belly to cover the mouth of the pot, controlling the tuning, but the instrument can also be held mouth upwards or facing the audience. Different volumes and tonal colors can be produced by hitting different parts of the surface. Ghatam is usually accompanied by a mridangam.

One of the modern virtuosos of the ghatam is T.H.Vinayakram affectionately known as [Vikku Vinayakram].

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