As maestros performed with abandon, the lay listeners celebrated in unison

When the percussion was in full flow, its high voltage rhythm sent the crowd into raptures. Panchavadyam and Pandi Melam artistes delighted thousands of people who assembled at the Madathil Varavu and Ilanjithara Melam ceremonies in connection with the Thrissur Pooram on Sunday.

The Pooram presents the best of the percussion ensembles in the State. People from across the country come to Thrissur just to soak up the energy.

The Madathil Varavu ceremony, in which the ‘thidambu’ (idol) of the Thiruvambadi Bhagavathy is taken out in a procession from the Thiruvambadi temple to Naduvil Madom at Pazhaya Nadakkavu, began at 7:30 a.m. With master thimila player Annamanada Parameswara Marar at the helm, Panchavadyam began at Naduvil Madom at 11.30 a.m., drumming up ample excitement. At the Pooram, percussionists try many innovations, but by keeping the basics intact.

Performing at the Pooram stimulates a pleasurable tension, Mr. Parameswara Marar says. Percussionists consider it a privilege to perform here. Not a single musician goes off-rhythm. Thimila, maddalam, kombu, kuzhal, and ilathalam are the instruments in Panchavadyam, which begins with the ‘Thimila Pramani’ striking the first beat.

Pandi Melam ensemble, led by maestro Kizhakoottu Aniyan Marar, replaced Panchavadyam as the procession bearing the idol (thidambu) of the Thiruvambady Bhagavathy reached the ‘Sreemoola Sthanam’ of the Vadakkunatha temple.

Thousands witnessed the Ilanjithara Melam, the well-known Pandimelam performance.

Hordes of people, from lay listeners to connoisseurs, relished the treat as 250 instrumentalists led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar performed the Pandi Melam. Ilanjithara Melam derives its name from the Ilanji tree on the Sree Vadakkunnathan temple premises under which the melam is performed.

In technical 0perfection and instrumental discipline, Ilanjithara Melam known as ‘Great Symphony,’ is the best example of Pandi Melam. As the orchestrated sequence of chenda and elathalam beats reached a crescendo, the excitement was palpable.

The heat, though unbearable, failed to dissuade the die-hard fans.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / Staff Reporter / Thrissur – April 18th, 2016