Shri Paolo Pacciolla conducted ethnomusicological research focused on the central Kerala region, particularly the Thrissur district and surrounding areas. This region has a significant presence of the Nambudiri Brahmin community and their temples, which have greatly influenced the cultural and ritual practices of other local communities who are devoted to goddess worship. At the core of these rituals is the pivotal role of drums, which occupy a prestigious position among Kerala's musical instruments and characterize its sonic landscape. Pacciolia's study examines the sacred musical repertoire performed in Brahmanical temples as well as shrines devoted to goddess worship, tracing the continuities and discontinuities between these contrasting beliefs and rituals from the perspective of music and drumming.
The research takes into account the socio-historical aspects that shaped Kerala's history. investigating the beliefs, origins, and evolution of different ritual performer communities and their contributions to contemporary ritual practices and the role of drumming within them. Pacciolla analyses major ritual compositions, focusing on pieces that had not been previously studied. He employs a novel methodology that approaches the entire repertoire as embodied knowledge transmitted through practice. Through musical examples, he elucidates the visual content and ritual meaning of these compositions.
This study significantly contributes to the understanding of drums and drumming's role and function in Kerala rituals, shedding light on their position within the broader Indian tradition.
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