Sopana Sangeetham

SopanaSangeetham is rendered as ritual musical offering in the temples of Kerala and is called Kottippaadiseva. It is performed at the Sopana, steps leading to the garbhamandir or sanctum sanctorum. Sung to the accompaniment of the small hourglass shaped ethnic percussion called idakka by the musician himself and the metallic gong chengila, the rendition is uncomplicated and full of feeling. For the same reason it is also called bhakti sangeetham or bhavasangeetham.

The idakka is similar to a damaru but is played with a stick. It is considered to be deva vaadyam, instrument of the gods, most auspicious and revered, and is never kept on the floor. Its two faces are said to represent the sun and the moon, the four sticks or jeevakkols between the trunk and thee strings stand for the four Vedas, the six holes for the six sastras, and the 64 woolen balls for the 64 arts.

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