Mother of all Poorams sizzles

The Almighty’s again met after a year. The Bhagavathy of Thiruvambadi and Bhagavathi of Paramekkavu met at Thekkinkadu maidan for the prestigious "Kudamattom" of Thrissur Pooram, the largest cultural extravaganza on Earth.

Thrissur Pooram, normally known as pooram of all pooram, was started by Shakthan Thampuran. The intention behind celebrating this festival was to concretize love and affection between all the people and devote a day for it.

The "pooram" became a festival of all castes, religions and beliefs; there is only one thought, which is to celebrate the day with full of joy.

The festival began with the entry of different small 'pooram's to meet Bhagavathy of Thiruvambady. From then on starts the famous "Madathil ninnulla Varvu'' (the entry from Brahmaswam Madam), accompanied by panchavadyam and elephants.

Kelathu Kuttappan Marar, in the absence of veteran  nnamanada Parameswara Marar, led the ensemble of musical instruments, in which almost all major and minor artistes from the State participated. The Three-and-half-hour-long symphony culminated in the afternoon.

Then followed the most attractive element of the pooram: Elanjitharamelam, the symphony of drums. This is nicknamed the largest "Divine Orchestra" because of the participation by a large number of artistes.

Padmashree Peruvanam Kuttan, the living legend in chenda, led the team with immense of maturity and beauty. The artistic brilliance of Marar shione through his visibly dexterous fingers and the while body pulsating to the rhythm.

The most visually appealing and colorful in the pooram was performed at the end of this "melam". This may be regarded as another unique feature of pooram.

Numbers of different colors of parasols rise up and down for almost an hour in the perfect "Kudamattam". This marks the end of day. 

At night, is Paramekkavilamma panchavadyam, led by Chottanikkara Vijayan Marar. That is one of the most mellifluous parts of the festival. The crowd awaits in near frisson for the breath taking fireworks that follow.

All these are the pooram grandeur but the 50 elephants and their paraphernalia are aglitter. Pyrotechnics, the rhythmic presentation of Thimila and maddalam with edakka and the systematic rendering of chenda raise the experience to ecstasy.

(Vinu vasudev teaches in kerala kalamandalam and is an expert in temple arts)