kurumkuzhal

Lakshmi Devi, a 44-year-old manager and mother of two, stood out at Ernakulam Siva temple for her performance on the kurumkuzhal, breaking gender norms in Kerala's chenda melam scene. Despite initial challenges with chenda, she switched to the wind instrument, performing at numerous temple festivals and proving her dedication to mastering this male-dominated art form.

Melams turn the atmosphere electric – 120 percussionists constantly changing rhythm even as they build up the tempo till it climaxes in the kalaasham. All listeners, especially melam connoisseurs, lose themselves in the beat but Titus Inashu is transformed.

The roads leading to Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple in Tripunithura were bustling with activity as many people thronged the venue to listen to ‘pancharimelam’ led by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar from Monday morning onwards.

Hundreds of panchaari melam artists ushered in the eight-day long Vrischikolsavam, the annual festival of Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple here on Monday.

Vrischikolsavam, the eight-day annual festival at Sree Poornathrayeesha Temple here, began on Saturday.

From the electrifying beats of Chenda and the soft tones of Idakka to the muscular strokes of the Madallam suspended on the hip of the artist to the distinctive metallic chimes of Ilathalam, few states can rival Kerala in having such a diverse and thriving indigenous percussion culture.

'Thala Mahotsavam', a festival of percussion and wind instruments, organised by Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan, began on a high note in city on Thursday. Minister K Babu inaugurated the three-day festival at Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan.

According to artistes, chendamelam has slowly become an indispensable part of celebrations in Chennai