A thunderous finale to the National Percussion Festival

The concluding day of the three-day National Percussion Festival on Sunday offered a resounding feast for the senses, leaving percussion enthusiasts thoroughly enthralled. It was an experience that surpassed even the grandeur of Thrissur Pooram as the country’s most celebrated percussion maestros converged on a single stage across various sessions. The atmosphere echoed like a thunderstorm of beats, marking a truly unforgettable conclusion to the festival.

The final day programmes began with a stunning performance of Pandi Melam by Peruvanam Kuttan Marar and his ensemble. As early as morning, rhythm aficionados began flowing into the Actor Murali Theatre, drawn by the sheer anticipation of experiencing the majestic power of Mr. Marar’s artistry.

Once the melam began, the entire gallery was engulfed in rhythm. Some of them closed their eyes and sank into deep, meditative immersion, while others could not resist joining the beat, nodding heads, swaying arms, completely absorbed in the pulsating energy. The spectators did not just watch; they felt the performance. The dynamic intensity radiating from the stage reached straight into their hearts.

130 percussionists

The power of Pandi Melam lies in its unbridled rawness, what performers describe as a celebration of wilderness through rhythm. The most captivating feature of the Pandi Melam is its use of the ‘kolumpal’ technique, which magnifies its primal appeal. A total of 130 percussionists joined in, delivering a thunderous performance that left the audience in awe.

Another highlight of the final day was a panel discussion titled “Thaalagopurangal: Rhythm and Cultural History,” held in the Black Box venue. Moderated by N.P. Vijayakrishnan, the session brought together percussion legends across Kerala’s major rhythm traditions.

On Sunday, the thayambaka performance drew percussion lovers from across the State to the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi grounds, many arriving solely to witness this rhythmic spectacle.

Led by Kalloor Ramankutty and his ensemble, the performance unfolded the infinite possibilities of thayambaka, weaving a spellbinding tapestry of rhythm that resonated through the atmosphere. Beginning in a subdued tempo, the pace gradually intensified, culminating in a breathtaking crescendo that left the audience spellbound.

Dynamic experience

A total of 68 percussionists took part in the performance, under the direction of 22 master percussionists, creating a dynamic and immersive rhythmic experience. The audience responded in unison, not just as spectators, but as co-travellers in a powerful journey through rhythm and tempo.

Bhoospandanagal, a Jugalbandhi performed by Sukhad Munde, Tejovrush Joshi and Santhosh Khande drew attention.

The festival concluded with a breathtaking performance, Chairman’s Symphony, led by akademi chairperson Mattannur Sankarankutty.

The National Percussion Festival, organised by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, was an unprecedented cultural triumph, said akademi secretary Karivellur Murali.

“Held as a tribute to tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, the festival, titled ‘Thathinthakathom,’ made history as the first of its kind percussion-only festival in Kerala. Over 1,000 artistes took part in it, performing in front of a combined audience of nearly 5,000 percussion lovers. Despite being held during the monsoon, every performance unfolded before packed audiences, a testament to the festival’s magnetic pull,” he said.