--- title: "Learn Traditional Kerala Instruments in Bengaluru | Kalavadhyam" description: "Master Ilathaalam, Kurum Kuzhal, and Edakka at Kalavadhyam. Authentic temple percussion training in Bengaluru with expert Gurus. Join our family today." canonical: https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/beyond-the-chenda-our-instrument-offerings last_updated: 2025-08-29 --- # Master Traditional Kerala Instruments in Bengaluru Tribe Verified · 15 years preserving Kerala's temple rhythms By [Kalavadhyam](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official) · Online classes and in-person at 7 Kalari locations across Bengaluru · ₹1,200 per month (estimate) Part of [Kerala Percussion Arts Classes (Gurukulam)](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/gallery) While the Chenda defines our roar, the true soul of our melam lies in the harmony of Ilathaalam, Kurum Kuzhal, and Edakka. Learn the complete temple ensemble with us. ## Photos and videos - [Video: The piercing, melodic notes of the Kurum Kuzhal, played by Kalavadhyam Rajesh T N, cut through the powerful rhythm of the Panchari Melam during the Peruvanam Pooram.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/023ee115-0049-4a30-9db4-c0eb4c3950cd) - [Video: The steady, shining sound of the Ilathaalam (cymbals) is the backbone of the melam. Here, Kalavadhyam Mani Narayanan provides the unwavering rhythm during a performance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0836e61c-7da1-46bc-9f25-7bb7679783a7) - ![Announcing the Kurum Kuzhal Arangettam of our first batch of students. We are proud to see our students, including young girls, master this traditional wind instrument.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/45921ac1-64ae-4171-a564-d460db2ba880) - ![A historic moment for our academy: the first-ever Ilathaalam Arangettam of our students, including three talented women, at the Kollur Sree Mookambika Temple.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/568ea29e-d886-44cd-9a37-6f60e63366dc) - ![Meet the Ilathalam artists of Kalavadhyam. This team provides the crucial, unwavering rhythmic foundation for all our melam performances.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bbdb47ff-3c71-4aea-9e82-6e3aaeb6b088) - [Video: A close-up of Kalavadhyam Mani Narayanan on the Ilathaalam. His focused expression shows the concentration required to hold the rhythm for the entire ensemble.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bc77e921-6613-4e33-b68e-942a4093afd0) - [Video: The soulful sound of the Kurumkuzhal, played by Kalavadhyam Rajesh T N. This wind instrument brings a layer of melody that weaves through the percussion.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dbc81936-f0d4-4323-a64a-69f19f681ad7) - ![We are thrilled to announce the first Kuzhal Batch Arangettam at Kollur Mookambika Temple. Our students are trained under the guidance of Gurunaadhan Shri. Kalavadhyam Rajesh TN.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dd274c21-b87a-4cc0-8b4b-942297091b91) - [Video: Students learning the Ilathaalam during a Panchari Melam practice session. Every instrument in the ensemble is given dedicated focus at our academy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e6de6ea7-847d-49dd-a711-c30c3bb079a9) ## About Beyond the Chenda: Our Instrument Offerings Mastering instruments like the Ilathaalam or Kurum Kuzhal requires a different kind of patience than the Chenda. Here, you start with Saadhakam on practice blocks to internalize the rhythmic cycles before touching the actual instrument, ensuring your foundation is as steady as the ensemble you will eventually join. At Kalavadhyam, we believe that a true practitioner understands the entire scope of the Kshethra Vaadhyam (temple percussion) ensemble. While the Chenda provides the thunder, the Ilathaalam acts as the spine of the rhythm, and the Kurum Kuzhal weaves the melody. We offer dedicated training tracks for: * **Ilathaalam:** Learn the precision required to hold the tempo for the entire melam. This is the heartbeat of our performance. * **Kurum Kuzhal & Kombu:** Master the wind instruments that bring the emotional, devotional melody to our temple performances. * **Sopana Sangeetham with Edakka:** Explore the nuanced, devotional style of Kerala’s heritage music, focusing on the Edakka drum's subtle, speech-like tonality. Our training follows the traditional Gurukulam methodology. Whether you are at our centres in Ramamurthy Nagar, Sarjapur Road, or Vidyaranyapura, or joining our online modules, you receive direct guidance from Gurunaadhan Shri Dheeraj Edat and his senior assistants. We do not rush the process. Just like our students who prepare for their Arangettam (debut performance) at Kollur Mookambika Temple, you will learn the techniques used by professional artists at major festivals like Peruvanam Pooram. By focusing on the structural role of each instrument, you gain a deeper understanding of how these sounds combine to create the 'simha garjjanam' (lion's roar) that defines our style. ## About Kalavadhyam At Kalavadhyam, we are a family dedicated to the full spectrum of Kerala's temple arts. Whether it is the piercing melody of the Kuzhal or the steady pulse of the Ilathaalam, you will learn the exact techniques we perform at temple festivals. [See all of Kalavadhyam's services](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official) ## More from Kerala Percussion Arts Classes (Gurukulam) by Kalavadhyam - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/featured) - [The Gurukulam: Our Training Method](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/the-gurukulam-our-training-method) - [Women of Kalavadhyam](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/women-of-kalavadhyam) - [The Next Generation of Artists](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/the-next-generation-of-artists) - [The Sound of the Ensemble: Melam Performances](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/the-sound-of-the-ensemble-melam-performances) - [Our Kalavadhyam Family & Gurus](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/our-kalavadhyam-family-gurus) - [Events & Milestones](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/events-milestones) - [Online Learning: Kalavadhyam Gurukulam](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/kerala-percussion-arts-classes-gurukulam/online-learning-kalavadhyam-gurukulam) ## More services by Kalavadhyam - [Traditional Kerala Percussion Ensembles (Melam)](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/traditional-kerala-percussion-ensembles-melam) - [Devotional Music Album Production](https://mytribe.in/kalavadhyam_official/devotional-music-album-production) ## Similar work from other experts - [Tabla and Mridangam Classes in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/wmcbangalore/indian-classical-music-classes/rhythm-percussion-tabla-and-mridangam) by World Music Conservatory · Indian Classical Music Classes · Online classes, and in-person at centers in Malleshwaram and Basavanagudi - [Traditional Chenda Melam for Temple & Festival Processions](https://mytribe.in/team_kerala_events/chenda-melam-performances/traditional-temple-festival-processions) by Team Malayalees · Chenda Melam Performances · Performs across South India & Nagpur; Offices in Chennai & Hyderabad - [Authentic Chenda Melam for Temple Festivals](https://mytribe.in/mahadeva_kalasamithi_/shinkarimelam-chendamelam-performances/sacred-rhythms-temple-processional-melam) by Mahadeva Kalasamithi · Shinkarimelam & Chendamelam Performances · Performs across Bengaluru and travels pan-India - [Authentic Chenda Melam for Temple Performances](https://mytribe.in/rhythm_of_kerala_blore/chenda-melam-performance/grand-temple-performances) by Rhythm Of Kerala · Chenda Melam Performance · Available at venues across Bengaluru; Office in Begur - [Tabla and Percussion Training in Delhi NCR](https://mytribe.in/khalsamusic/indian-instrumental-music-classes/tabla-percussion-mastery) by Khalsa Music Academy · Indian Instrumental Music Classes · Online classes available; In-person classes in Delhi NCR - [Learn Indian Classical Music in Banaswadi](https://mytribe.in/butterflytalentacademy/music-classes/indian-classical-music) by Butterfly Talent Academy · Music Classes · Music lessons at academy in Banaswadi ## Book To book Kalavadhyam, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaskaram%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20joining%20the%20classes%20for%20Ilathaalam%20and%20Kurum%20Kuzhal%20at%20Kalavadhyam.%20Could%20you%20please%20share%20the%20batch%20details%3F)