Panchavadyam

Panchavadyam is a classical performance of various musical instruments that are endemic Kerala. As the term “pancha” in Sanscrit means five, Panchavadyam consists of five percussion instruments- Edakka, Elathalam, Kombu, Shudha Madhalam or Maddalam and Timila. The sankh(conch) and Kuzhal are also used along with these five instruments.

The Maddalam, which is a kind of drum, is regarded as a divine percussion instrument (Deva Vadya) which was used as a musical accompaniment during the Tandava Nritya or the ‘Primeval Dance of Lord Siva,’ the Destroyer. Maddalam consists of two varieties- Sudha Maddalam, the one that is tied round the waist of the player with a cloth and the other is Toppi Maddalam which is much smaller and is hanged from the neck of the performer.

The Timila is made from polished Jackwood and is shaped like an hour-glass. The Edakka is made of wood and is a sensitive percussion instrument.
The Kombu made up of mostly copper or brass is a C-shaped wind instrument or trumpet which produces a high-pitched sound. The Elatalam is like an indigenous cymbal.

The performance of Panchavadyam is an integral part of the festivals of the Temples in Kerala, especially in Central Kerala and the music is considered divine. The most celebrated performance is put up at Thiruvambadi Temple during the Thrissur Pooram, and is known as the "Madathil Varavu" Panchavadyam. Panchavadyam provides ample opportunity for group as well as solo performance. In a Panchavadyam performance, the positioning of an artist is also of considerable importance. The musicians playing Timila and suddha-maddalam face each other while the Elathalam performer is positioned behind behind the timila artists and the komb musicians stand behind Suddha-Maddalam artists. Edakka drummers stand by facing each other and the sankh (conch) blower stands beside them.

The concert of Panchavadyam commences with the blowing of sankh(conch) for three times. After the shankh (conch) is blown three times signify the holy syllable of OM .The structure of the performance is of a rhythmic pyramid structure, with an escalating tempo and a lessening number of beats in cycles. The rhythm gradually rises and attains a crescendo after starting from a slow pace. During the festivals the rhythm surpasses and spreads out in the green and pastoral backdrop of the temples. In the Kerala festivals, the performance of Panchavadyam precedes the stunning procession of barded elephants.