Elanjithara Melam

We discussed about various forms of Melams using the instrument Chenda and one of the common forms is the Pandi Melam. It consists of seven beats and could last for two to three hours of duration. Pandi Melam has four stages with rhythmic cycles, totalling 56, 28, 14 and 7 of Thalavattams. Pandi Melam is staged normally only outside the temple. The Elanji Thara Melam during the Thrissur Pooram festival is an exception to this. This is performed inside the Vadakkunnathan Temple (Siva Temple) compound in Thrissur. Pandi Melam is performed during the Araattupuzha and Peruvanam Poorams in Thrissur district but they are performed outside the temple. While Panchari Melam is of Six Beat thalam, Pandi Melam is of Seven Beat thalam. Let us now watch and listen to the highly energetic Pandi Melam, b...