A melam is a classical performance of
different kind of musical instruments that are unique to Kerala and is
something akin to the jazz. The most traditional of all melams
is called Pandi Melam which is
generally performed outside the temple, during the festival. Another kind
of melam is called Panchari Melam, which is similar to Pandi
Melam going by the kind of instruments, but played inside the temple and
following a different rhythmic beat.
Panchavadyam (pancha in Sanskrit means five) is another classical musical ensemble performed in Kerala. Here, five different
kinds of instruments create a breathtaking and fastmoving percussion
performance. The five instruments are Madhalam, Kombu, Edakka, Elathalam and Timila.
Thayambaka is a solo Chenda (drum)
performance, where the performer uses one stick and the other hand to play the
instrument instead of the usual two sticks.
Pandimelam
Pandi melam is a classical percussion concert or melam led by the ethnic Kerala instrument called the chenda and
accompanied by ilathalam, kuzhal and Kombu.
A full-length Pandi, a melam based on a thaalam with seven beats,
lasts more than two-and-a-half hours, and is canonically performed outside
temples. It has basically four stages, each of them with rhythmic cycles
(thaalavattam) totalling 56, 28, 14 and seven respectively.
The most celebrated Pandi Melam is staged inside a temple compound
at the Vadakkunnathan shrine's precincts in the central Kerala
town of Thrissur.
For the last several years, Peruvanam Kuttan Marar is the lead conductor for
this symphony of drums known as Elanjithara Melam. Elsewhere, like
in the pooram festivals of Aarattupuzha and Peruvanam near Thrissur and the
rest of central and northern Kerala, Pandi Melam, performed
outside temple precincts in general
Pancharimelam
Panchari Melam is a percussion ensemble,
canonically lasting more than four hours, performed during temple festivals in Kerala, India. Panchari Melam (or, simply, panchari), is one of the major
forms of chenda melam (ethnic
drum ensemble), and is the best-known and most popular kshetram vadyam (temple percussion) genre. Panchari
melam, comprising instruments like chenda, ilathalam, kombu and kuzhal, is performed during virtually every temple festival in
central Kerala, where it is arguably presented in the most classical manner.
Panchari, however, is also traditionally performed, with a touch of subtle
regional difference, in north (Malabar) and south-central Kerala (Kochi). Of
late, its charm has led to its performance even in deep-south Kerala temples. Panchari
melam is performed either in its elaborate form (during annual temple
festivals) or in its sketchy detail (to accompany the daily or weekly temple
rituals). Either ways, they are performed only within the walls of the temple.
The ensemble starts at the main entrance to the inner part of the
temple, slowly circling the shrine clockwise while playing. A panchari melam
has five stages, each of them based on beats totalling 96, 48, 24, 12 and six
respectively.
The semi-circular procession, with caparisoned elephants totalling
between three to fifteen generally), is led by the deity of the temple kept on
tusker in the centre. (In a pure ritualistic case, the idol is
carried by the Namboodiri priest himself). The deity faces the musical ensemble
and devotees/melam buffs, the latter surrounding the musicians and following
the progress of the melam.
Other Attractions of Pooram
Interesting attractions of Pooram can be seen in the Valluvanad and Talappilly region. There is the Harijan
Vela or Parayar Vela as well as the Tholpavakoothu, a traditional shadow
puppetry show.
