Pancharimelam

Panchari Melam is the most popular temple vadyam genre performed at virtually every temple festival in central Kerala. In Kerala, especially in the central districts, people regard panchari as the most ancient percussion genre in Kerala. Other melams are pandi, chempata, anchatanta, dhruvam, atanta, and chempha. There are musical and ritualistic differences between the panchari and other melams. Panchari melam is either performed in an elaborated form that is in bigger ensemble, longer performance time to accompany the annual temple festivals or in an abbreviated form for the daily or weekly rituals. Both forms are performed within the walls of the temple. The ensemble starts at the main entrance to the inner part of the temple, slowly circling the shrine clockwise while playing. On either of the eight wind directions or the compass points they stop and perform. Usually a phase or at least a talavattam is concluded before proceeding; thus paying reference to each divinity located in different parts of the temple. The procession is led by the divine idol of the temple kept on an elephant or carried by a Namboothiri priest. The deity faces the musical ensemble and devotees, the latter surrounding the musicians in a semi-circle eagerly following the musical progress of the melam. The world's scientifically orchestrated panchari melam is performed during EdakkunniUthram Vilakku in the month of March at Edakkunni temple Ollur, Trichur. Chenda, komb, kuzhal and elathalam are the main instruments used. Thirty three veekuchendas, Thirty three elathalams and eleven each of komb, kuzhal and muttuchenda are required for a complete performance of medium range.