Latest news with #ParamekkavuDevaswom
New Indian Express
14-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Jumbos turned violent owing to laser lights, says Paramekkavu Devaswom
THRISSUR: Though Thrissur Pooram this year concluded without any hitches, it seems the allegations didn't. Paramekkavu Devaswom, one of the factions that organises Thrissur Pooram, has come out against the use of laser torches or laser light sources in festival grounds, which they suspect was the reason behind elephants turning violent amid the parade. Paramekkavu Devaswom secretary G Rajesh alleged that the elephant didn't attack any people, after turning violent and all it did was to run amok. 'There is some reason behind the elephant turning panic and it should be probed. We suspect that some people with vested interest focused laser light on the elephant, leading to a chaotic situation,' he said. The devaswoms urged the district administration and police to ban laser lights in festival grounds for the safety of public. Both devaswoms had raised allegations against an animal rights organisation for conspiring to focus laser lights on the eyes of paraded elephants to deliberately create issues. In the incident during Thrissur Pooram, tusker Uttoly Raman came charging at people amid the elephant parade of Madathil Varavu ceremony of Thiruvambady Bhagavathy at midnight. The tusker didn't attack anyone. Instead it ran through a pocket road for about a kilometre. As many as 60 people were injured after they fell while trying to run away from the violent tusker.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Robotic umbrellas drum up a storm at Thrissur Pooram
This year, Kudamattam of Thrissur Pooram witnessed the debut of motion-enabled robotic umbrellas, adding a futuristic twist to the centuries-old tradition. The Paramekkavu Devaswom introduced these innovative umbrellas, featuring a robot child mimicking the movements of a traditional chenda (drum) artist. The robotic umbrellas were developed by 'Robo Tuskers,' a student-faculty start-up from Jyothi Engineering College. Designed and built using advanced technology, the robotic drummers operated on specially written code, and the umbrellas are equipped with LED lighting to enhance the visual impact. According to the creators, the project is a creative response to the current socio-cultural climate.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Feel the beat! Thrissur Pooram draws the best out of melam
THRISSUR : While the village of Peruvanam in Thrissur district is considered the birthplace of melam (traditional festival percussion), Thrissur Pooram has long been the platform that thrills percussion lovers from across the globe. The overwhelming crowd that witnesses the Elanjithara melam, organised by the Paramekkavu Devaswom, serves as ample proof. Besides pandi melam, the festival showcases the best of panchavadyam and panchari melam during the 30-hour-long celebrations. When the sun rises on Tuesday, the Thekkinkad Maidan will host an array of percussion performances, of different varieties, led by some of the most prominent artists in Kerala. Kizhakkoot Aniyan Marar, the pramani (lead artist) for Elanjithara melam, says it is a blessing of the goddess to be able to lead the grand ensemble. Having been performing for the Paramekkavu temple for around 36 years, this is the third time he is leading the melam. 'Around 250 artists will participate in the Elanjithara melam. There won't be any space to stand in rows if we increase the number beyond that. The melam will last around four hours,' Aniyan tells TNIE. Cheranellur Sankarankutty Marar, the pramani for the Madathil Varavu of Thiruvambady Bhagavathy, is of the opinion that the melam for Thiruvambady should get equal importance.'Both are pandi melams, though performed by different people. It is high time Madathil Varavu and its melam received due attention,' Sankarankutty says. He says it is his friendship, rather brotherhood, with Aniyan Marar that gave him a role in Thrissur Pooram. 'Though I have led the melam at many temple festivals across Kerala, the position of a pramani in Thrissur Pooram is special,' Sankarankutty says, adding that it is the people who make the pooram such a grand celebration. The Thrissur Pooram has 10 temples participating including the main organisers, Thiruvambady Devaswom and Paramekkavu Devaswom. The day begins with the procession of Kanimangalam Sastha, followed by those of all other temples involved in the ghataka pooram. While the procession from the respective temples begin either with nada pandi, panchavadyam, or nadaswaram, every deity switches to pandi melam once they enter the Thekkinkadu Maidan. 'What makes the rhythm of melam to enthuse people around the world is the fact that it connects easily to our body, mind, and heart,' says Arun, a volunteer among the pooram coordinators.
