GOTTUVADYAM
Gotuvadyam or Chitravina is a rare stringed instrument of South India.
It is like tambura which is supported
at the neck and has
four strings. The performer
strikes all the four strings
simultaneously with the help of two light bamboo blades held in both hands.
While the left hand strikes the strings with regular rhythmic beats, the right
hand plays intricate patterns that are reminiscent of the mridangam.
It is used
rarely as a secondary instrument along with the mridangam in concerts. Only
very few masters of Gottuvadyam are found. This instrument belongs to south
India. N. Ravikiran is an expert in the field.
