Thrissur Pooram erupts in percussive glory
The air in Thrissur on Tuesday synced with the mighty pulse of its iconic Pooram percussion ensembles. Lakhs of people, from the casually curious to the deeply devoted, gathered to witness what has earned the title of one of the greatest rhythmic spectacles in the world.
At the soul of this sonic celebration were the Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam of Thiruvambadi and the Ilanjithara Melam of Paramekkavu — two of the most anticipated and revered performances of the festival. With hundreds of expert drummers and pipers in each ensemble, every beat carried tradition, discipline, and an electrifying energy that left the audience spellbound.
The Ilanjithara Melam, performed under the Ilanji tree within the Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple grounds, was a masterclass in precision and passion. Crowds packed the temple grounds well before the melam began, and though space was tight, the energy was expansive. Not a single misstep was heard as the ensemble filled the air with resonant rhythm, drawing thousands more to stand outside, simply to feel the vibration and hear the magic.
On the other side, the Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam played out like a grand feast for the ears. It wasn't just a performance — it was a pulsating wave of sound and celebration. As the drummers and pipers unleashed a cascade of intricate beats, the crowd responded with raised hands, cheers, and awe. The connection between performer and listener was raw, real, and unforgettable.
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The Hindu
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- The Hindu
Thrissur Pooram concludes with ‘Upacharam Cholli Piriyal' ritual
The 2025 Thrissur Pooram wrapped up in spectacular style with the 'Upacharam Cholli Piriyal' ritual on Wednesday, marking an end to the iconic 36-hour cultural extravaganza. The idols of the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples were ceremoniously taken back to their abodes, marking the festival's end. The grand finale was a fitting tribute to Kerala's most celebrated temple festival, which this year drew record-breaking crowd. The final day featured 'Pakal Pooram,' also known as 'Thattakathe Pooram,' a festival within the festival, especially cherished by the local community. Aimed at residents, particularly women who were busy hosting guests during the main Pooram, this celebration saw a vibrant repeat of Tuesday's rituals, complete with a majestic elephant parade, thunderous percussion ensembles, and another round of dazzling fireworks. Vibrant celebration Families, especially women and children, thronged the venue to witness the cultural spectacle, turning the final hours into a vibrant, community-driven celebration. The showstopper was undoubtedly the early morning fireworks, which lit up the Thrissur sky in a mesmerising display. The Thiruvambady Devaswom kicked off the pyrotechnic showdown, followed by the Paramekkavu Devaswom. Both teams thrilled the audience with innovative patterns, breathtaking bursts, and a sheer variety of firework artistry, turning the skies into a living canvas of sound and colour.
The Hindu
07-05-2025
- The Hindu
Meet Aswathy and Archana, the first women to play the chenda at Thrissur Pooram
Thunderous fireworks, parading elephants, kudamattom (display of colourful parasols), and more. The Thrissur Pooram that dates back to 1796 draws thousands of visitors every year at the famed Vadakkumnathan temple. In the popular number 'Kaanta' by the band Masala Coffee, a woman asks her beloved if she can accompany him to the Pooram. The song goes on to describe what she would witness and do at the festival. One of the lines goes: 'Thimila anikonne kaananam kaanthaa... Thimilayil athilonne kottanam kaanthaa', loosely translated to, 'I want to see the hour-glass shaped drum, I want to play the hour-glass shaped drum'. Now, two women — Aswathy Jithin, 35, and Archana Anoop, 42, from Poomkunnam — not only played the thimila, but also were a part of pandi melam, one of the main percussion sets, becoming the first women to be part of the chenda melam at the Pooram. Aswathy, a native of Thrissur, grew up watching the Pooram. Marriage to Jithin Kallat, one of the main percussionists at the event, piqued her interest in the chenda. Her 13-year-old son Adithya learnt the chenda, and when he was about to have his debut performance in 2018, Aswathy was inspired to start learning. After learning for a year, she made her debut in 2019. Archana's story is similar. Three months into her son Udhav learning the chenda, she started training under Jithin, and made her debut in 2023, on Deepavali. Says Aswathy: 'My husband Jithin has been playing at the Pooram for 10 years now. This year, Archana chechi (elder sister) and I approached him and professed our wish to take part in it too. He agreed. The Devaswom Board did too. And thus, we got to be a part of valamthala or the right hand side of the percussion, in one of the back rows. The duo was part of the pandi melam, which is part of the procession to bring in shasthavu or Ayyapan's idol via the southern gate, and ending at the western gopuram. This isn't the first time women have been a part of the Pooram — in 2024, Hridya, a native of Thanikkudam, and Sreepriya, a native of Mulankunnathukavu, played the kuramkuzhal or wooden wind instrument similar to the flute. 'Our families have been very supportive,' says Archana, adding 'My mother has been receiving congratulatory calls.' The duo has till now been a part of at least 10 chenda melams, including those at Shankarakulangara Bhagavathy temple and Kanimangala Shastha temple. Aswathy says she has always felt a close association with the Pooram as her father, C. Nandakumar was a member of the Thrissur Pooram Ekopana Samithi, the group that ensures the pooram functions smoothly. 'We have always gone for poorams — not just the one at Thrissur — as a family and returned home in the wee hours of the morning,' she says. Like Aswathy, Archana too says she never had such aspirations as a child, but was musically inclined. Incidentally, both Archana and Aswathy were part of the marching bands at their respective schools in Palakkad and Thrissur. 'I suppose, we both were destined to be involved in music in some way,' Archana says. Both women now have set their sights on learning sopana sangeetham (sacred ritualistic songs, usually sung at a temple's nada or doorway). The chendas are heavy, weighing about 13-14 kg. 'It is a bit difficult to become one with the chenda when you start out; you tend to suffer from shoulder pain and body ache, but you get used to it. And while performing you usually get immersed in it, which makes you forget about the pain,' she says. The day before their performance, the women didn't think much of it. 'But on the morning of the Pooram, it dawned on me that it is the first time two women will play the chenda at Thrissur Pooram, an event Malayalees across the globe watch. But, once we started the melam, all the nervousness melted away,' Aswathy says. 'All the other artistes were very supportive as we joined the row of percussionists. We hope to be a part of Poorams at other temples too,' adds Archana.
Time of India
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Thrissur Pooram 2025: The Met Gala of Elephants, Fireworks, and Drum Battles
On May 7, 2025, isn't just hosting a festival—it's dropping the hottest invite-only (but actually open-to-all) party South India has to offer: Thrissur Pooram . Think Coachella, but with less glitter and way more percussion. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's that annual moment when tradition puts on its biggest gold-trimmed shades and says, 'Let's get loud.' Set in the cultural nucleus of Thrissur, this celestial showdown isn't just about religious devotion—it's about flexing festival muscle. Two temples, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady, face off like it's the Pitch Perfect finals, except instead of acapella, it's thunderous chenda melam drum orchestras, capped with a literal explosion of color and noise that makes Times Square on New Year's Eve look like a tea party. The elephants? Oh, they're not just there for a walk. These tusked titans are decked out like they're attending the Oscars—except their tux is 24-karat golden nettipattams (head ornaments) and fans waving in synchronized choreography. Picture a crossover episode between The Crown and The Jungle Book —it's regal, it's wild, it's everything. And the fireworks? NASA called. They want their launchpads back. The pyrotechnic warfare kicks off in the middle of the night and could wake the ghosts of ancient kings. It's visual chaos, the kind that makes Michael Bay's entire filmography look understated. But beyond the glitz and audible tremors, Thrissur Pooram is the epitome of unity in diversity . Temples, communities, and artists blend in harmony, proving once again that when Kerala decides to throw a party, it doesn't just raise the roof—it launches it into the stratosphere. Anyone still unsure about attending should know this: skipping Thrissur Pooram is like skipping the final episode of Breaking Bad —technically legal, but spiritually unforgivable.
