Ishal is the melodic framework within which
Mappila Songs are composed.
["Mappila Muslims: A Study on Society and Anti Colonial Struggles"
By Husain Raṇṭattāṇi.] Though identical to
tala
Tala may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* Tala (comics), a fictional character in DC comics
*''Tala'', a 1938 volume of poetry by Gabriela Mistral
*Tala (music), a rhythmic pattern in Indian classical music
* "Tala" (song), by Sarah Geronimo ...
(
metre (music)) and raga of Indian music, it has influences from the ancient folk songs of Kerala and Arabian musical traditions.
Ishals with its distinct tunes convey the emotion and mood of the lyrics being rendered. As mappila songs are also used in mappila performing arts like Oppana, Kolkali, Duffmuttu, etc.; the change in ishals changes the dance moves.
[Abdurahiman.K.P "Mappila heritage: A study in their social and cultural life"
Thesis. Department of History, University of Calicut, 2004. Chapter~7 'Mappila Tradition In Folk Arts'.] Ishals like Kuthirabaravu / Kuthirathalam meaning 'horse rhythm' gives the audience the feel of a galloping horse, with its distinctive rhythmic rendering.
Much of the recorded sources of ishals are Mappila literary works written in Arabi-Malayalam. Moyinkutty Vaidyar's work alone has used numerous different Ishals in composition.
Oral transmission is another source of information on various ishals. Researches on Ishals are still underway.
[Ishal Thanima Audio CD, Mahakavi Moyinkutty Vaidyar Mappila Kala Academy, Kondotty, Kerala.]
List of known Ishals
*Kombu, with its various sub categories.
*Thongal
*Bambu
*Akanthar / Chayppu Virutham
*Oppana Chayal & Oppana Murukkam
*Hakkana
*Mihraaj
*Munajaat
*Kavi
*Maanitham Kwala & Maanitham Kwala Murukkam
*Aadi Antham
*Pukayinaar
*Aaramba
*Thalelam
*Oosha Birutham
*Makkanabi
*Changu Kalangi / Chattamaettam
*Mariyum Kinnaram
*Kalithaalam
*Akabhalippu
*Ondan
*Ketti Imaam
*Virutham
*Veerasha
*Param Enikathil
*Veeraar
*Naeshamaasha
*Aashayul
*Koolamammayil
*Madanamani / Veervirutham
*Kuthirabaravu
["Islamika Vinjanakosham", Islamic Publishing House, vol. 7 & 8]
References
{{reflist
Mappilas
Indian classical music
Indian folk music
Islamic music