ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kamala

n.
C2 Proficiency ka·mala

n. a type of traditional Indian drum that is played with the hands. It is often used in religious ceremonies and music from the south of India.

n. a traditional South Indian hand drum, typically played with the fingers and palms. It is a primary instrument in Carnatic music and temple rituals.


SIMPLE

The musician played the kamala during the morning ceremony.

CONTEXTUAL

During the festival, the temple drummer practiced the kamala to prepare for the evening's performance.

COMPLEX

The rhythmic patterns of the kamala provide the foundational pulse for the complex melodic structures of the Carnatic tradition, often serving as the anchor for the entire ensemble.

Origin

Borrowed from Sanskrit कमला (kamalā, “orange”).

© 2026 English Reference