---
url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/faq/instruments-artforms/how-do-you-play-the-ghatam'
title: 'How do you play the ghatam?'
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  name: rajeevk
  url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/user/fdfe7927a034173f'
date: '2026-10-19T14:54:31+00:00'
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summary: 'A ghatam player sits with the pot in the lap, mouth to the stomach, and strikes it with fingers, nails, palms and the heels of the hands.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# How do you play the ghatam?

 Updated 19 October 2026

 

To play the **[ghatam](/instrument/ghatam)**, the player sits cross-legged with the pot on the lap and its mouth towards the stomach. Fingers, thumbs, nails, palms and the heels of the hands strike the neck, shoulder and base for different tones. Changing the pressure of the mouth against the abdomen varies tone and pitch. Players can also turn the pot so the mouth faces the audience and play the neck.



 

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## Related pages

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###  Instruments (1) 

- [   Ghatam The ghatam is the clay pot of Carnatic music. Struck on its neck, belly and mouth, it gives tones from a metallic crack to a deep bass, beside the mridangam or…     ](/en-gb/instrument/ghatam)
 
  

 

 

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