08-05-2025
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.
