Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Yal 2
Yal 2
• An associate of Kovalan (the hero) in ‘Silappadhigaaram’ was not only a musician and
a talented singer, but could also play a difficult type of Yal called Sakota Yal. Senkotti
Yal is again mentioned in ‘Silappadhigaaram’. Seeri Yal, Maruththuva Yal and Adi
Yal, Matchya Yal, Maruthuva Yal are other varieties which are mentioned in ancient
Tamil Literature. Sculptural depictions of the Yal can be seen in the temple in
Tirumayam (near Pudukkottai), Amaravathi and Khajuraho, to mention a few.
• Thiruvalluvar, the 200 BC Tamil poet, mentions Yal in his work Thirukkural. Many
major Tamil classical literary masterpieces written during Sangam period dating back
200 BC have mentioned the Yal.
Decoding the Design:
Unveiling the Secrets of the Yal's Enchanting Melody
The Yal's captivating voice is not just a product of vibrating strings; it's a tapestry woven from the skillful
interplay of its meticulous design and the natural laws of sound.
• Vibrating Strings: It all starts with the Yal's gut strings. When plucked
or strummed, these strings vibrate at specific frequencies, generating
sound waves. The thicker the string, the slower its vibration and the
lower its pitch. Conversely, thinner strings vibrate faster and produce
higher pitches.