Gettuvadyam is also known as Getchu vadyam or Gethu
vadyam. It is a very rare instrument which is played in Southern part of
India. Gettuvadyam is 2-3 feet long and is like a hammered lute. The
Getchu Vadyam is like tambura which is supported at the neck and has
four strings. Sometimes, it is used as the secondary instrument
accompanying Mridangam.
The performers place it in their front and strike it with two small
bamboo mallets. The performer strikes all the four strings
simultaneously with the help of two light bamboo blades held in both
hands. While the left hand of the performer strikes the strings with
regular rhythmic beats, the right hand plays complex patterns that are
remind one of the mridangam, another popular musical instrument of South
India.




