Panchari melam

Panchari Melam is a percussion ensemble, performed during temple festivals in Kerala, India. Panchari Melam (or simply panchari), is one of the major forms of Chenda Melam (ethnic drum ensemble), and is the best-known and most popular in the kshetram vadyam (temple percussion) genre. Panchari Melam, comprising instruments like Chenda, Ilathalam, Kombu and Kuzhal, is performed during many temple festivals in central Kerala, where it is presented in arguably the most classical manner. Panchari is also traditionally performed, albeit with a touch of subtle regional difference, in north Kerala (Malabar) and south-central Kerala (Kochi). Of late, its charm has led to its performance even in temples in Kerala's deep south.

Melam at Tripunithura Poornathrayeesa Temple

Panchari is a six-beat thaalam (taal) with equivalents like Roopakam in south Indian Carnatic music and Daadra in the northern Hindustani classical. I doubt it's performed with 8 beats, four touches, 3 beets and one without beat or touch, called 'ozhivu', totally making it eight 'mathra' ( . . . . ^ ^ ^ ^ -) like Aadi thalam in carnatic music. It's same as chembada, bu the total lenghth is different. Vaythari, the verbal representation is 'nanaka nanagu nanaka nanagu du dum-nanaka nanagu nanaka nanagu du dum" (നനഗ നനക്കു, നനഗ നനക്കു ഡു ഡും, നനഗ നനക്കു, നനഗ നനക്കു ഡു ഡും, ...); A total of 16 mathras are there in one padam. Then it goes to the Kalasam through 'uruttu' (ഉരുട്ടു- നനഗ,നനഗ, നനഗ,നനഗ,...). After each 'kalasam' (കലാശം) 'nila' (നില) is repeated. After three kalasam, most of the time, it goes to the next gathi, (ഗതി) (tempo), the tempo is increased here. Again the drutha gathi (ദ്രുതഗതി) is followed. After the drutha gathi kalasam is nilamattakalasam (നിലമാറ്റകലാശം) and then goes to the next kalam. The Kalams of panchari are 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. The 5 kalam is nagunannakanana du dum ( നഗ്‌ നനക നന ഡു ഡും, ...). The rhythm drum or the veekku chenda beets ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ -, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ -, five beats and one ozhivu, a total of six mathras (മാത്രാ), akin to roopaka thalam of carnatic music. The last kalasam is theerukalasam (തീരുകലാശം), before that mutharipppu also is performed.

Another Chenda Melam which comes close to Panchari in prominence and grammatical soundness, is Pandi Melam, performed outside temple precincts in general. Other Chenda Melams, though less popular, are Chempata, Adanta, Anchatanta, Dhruvam, Chempha, Navam, Kalpam and Ekadasam. Though there are expressional differences between the Panchari and the above-mentioned Melams (other than Pandi), the description of the former is prototypical for the rest of them.

Panchari Melam is performed either in its elaborate form (during annual temple festivals) or in its sketchy detail (to accompany the daily or weekly temple rituals).

The ensemble starts at the main entrance to the inner part of the temple, slowly circling the shrine clockwise while playing. A panchari melam has five stages, each of them based on beats totalling 96, 48, 24, 12 and 6 respectively. The first phase of the Panchari Melam, also called the "Pathikaalam" stands out for its unique blend of percussion and notes from the Kuzhal. The crescendo rises higher with each phase, eventually culminating in the fifth phase with a 6-beat cycle. For the culmination of the fifth phase, a unique 3-beat cycle called "Muri-Panchari" is also employed to take the Melam to an apt conclusion. The Melam thus starts with a broad base, and progresses completing the pyramid structure, culminating at the apex.

The semi-circular procession, with caparisoned elephants (totalling anywhere from three up to fifteen), is led by the deity of the temple carried by the male elephant in the centre. (Ritualistically the idol is carried by the Namboodiri priest himself). The deity is kept facing the musical ensemble and devotees/Melam buffs, with the latter surrounding the musicians and following the progress of the melam.