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url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-in/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-ghatam'
title: 'What is a ghatam?'
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  name: rajeevk
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date: '2026-09-04T15:21:25+00:00'
updated: '2026-10-16T23:16:33+00:00'
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summary: 'A ghatam is a clay pot from the Carnatic music of south India; players strike it with their hands and press its mouth on the stomach to change pitch.'
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  FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is a ghatam?

 Updated 17 October 2026

 A ghatam is a clay pot that musicians play as a percussion instrument in the Carnatic music of south India. The player strikes it with the fingers, the palms and the heels of the hands.

The player changes the pitch by pressing the open mouth of the pot against the stomach.

For the north Indian hand drums, see [What is a tabla?](/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-tabla)



 

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