Thrissur Pooram – Kerala’s Most Renowned Temple Festival.

Safna Premji

2 Followers

Passionate about uncovering the past and fascinated by the stories buried within earth. checkout my posts ,to get insights on different art forms of kerala

4 0 66

Introduction

In Kerala’s tranquil backwaters and lush surroundings, exists a festival called Thrissur Pooram which is so stunning and vibrant. This event, which takes place in Thrissur, its a blend of religion, customs, music, and spectacle that transforms the city into a carnival ground, this ground is popularly known as thekkinkadu maidan. Renowned as the “poorangalude pooram”, as Malayalis say that its the greatest temple festival which is highlighted by captivating firework displays, loud percussion bands, and elephants that combine to create a festival .
Every year, thousands of devotees visit Vadakkunnathan Temple to be part of the holy festivity of Pooram, which takes place during the month of Medam according to Malayalam calender (April–May). It is a sociocultural phenomenon that reflects Kerala’s artistic genius and communal harmony, in addition to being a religious festival.

Origin

late 18th century , Sakthan Thampuran, the ruler of the former Kochi kingdom, he re-organized the scattered temple festivals in and around Thrissur into a single celebration thus the great temple festival was born. At the Vadakkunnathan Temple, he organized ten temples, mostly from Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady, to take part in a single, spectacular celebration.
The goal was not only religious but also significantly political and cultural: to promote harmony among many populations and to establish a stage for exhibiting the area’s shared commitment and legacy. Since then, Thrissur Pooram has survived for more than 200 years as Kerala’s most lavish temple festival, evolving from a small-town religious assembly.

(Image : Shakthan thampuran) (Image source:Wikipedia)

Main Attraction

Rituals, art, and public involvement have all been flawlessly combined to create Thrissur Pooram’s success. The festival, which lasts for hours, and throughout many events takes place, like –

flag-raising ceremonies (Kodiyettam)
elephant processions (Ezhunnallippu)
traditional percussion performances (Panchavadyam and Pandimelam)
the colorful parasol-swapping display (Kudamattom)
stunning fireworks (Vedikkettu) that illuminate the skyline of Thrissur.

(Image: Vedikkettu during festival) (Image source: On Manorma)

Processions, which symbolize various locales, display artistic brilliance and healthy competition. People from many castes and communities participate in the festival’s planning and completion, despite its Hindu roots, making it a symbol of secular harmony. Every ritual has changed over time, attracting participants from distinguished backgrounds in addition to Hindu believers .

Motifs

Symbol of Majesty- Elephants

(Image: Elephants with nettipattam) (Image source: Bestplaces.Blog)

The magnificent elephants , set with Venchamaram (yak tail fans), Aalavattam (peacock feather fans), and Nettipattam ( forehead decoration), are the most famous images of festival. Each elephant is led with elegance and grace as it takes the figure of the deity from its distinct temple.
Elephants have always represented royalty and heavenly might in Keralan temple ceremonies. They transform into living representations of divinity during Pooram, transcending their previous status as animals. Human and animal coordination, particularly during Kudamattom (parasol exchange), demonstrates both mutual respect for nature and spirituality in addition to visual discipline.
A celebrity-like position is attained by the lead elephant, who carries the deity and they are selected based on their size, posture, and elegance.

Dance of Parasols- Kudamattom

(Image: kudamattom ) (Image source: Deccan Herald)

Kudamattom, where teams from competing temples compete in an artistic display of changing vibrantly colored silk parasols , is one of the most exciting events for the spectators. The crowd’s loud applause, chendas’ rhythm, and the anticipation of the next design all together to create an immersive visual appeal.
The elaborate designs of each parasol, which often incorporate mythical images, floral motifs, or modern themes, demonstrate the smooth blending of tradition and innovation. Crafted by expert artisans, the parasols represent dignity and divine beauty, and their exchange represents cultural concord through artistic competition.

Motif 3: Percussion Groups

(Image :Panchavadyam group)(Image source: Thrissurpooramfestival)

Without its thrilling percussion ensembles, particularly Panchavadyam and Pandimelam, Thrissur Pooram would not be complete. Instruments mainly maddalam, thimila, ilathalam, kombu, and edakka are combined in panchavadyam to produce a rich, theatrical, and spiritual atmosphere.
In addition to being a representation of Kerala’s musical traditions, these rhythmic performances serve as ceremonial sacrifices to the gods. They frequently have more than 100 musicians performing in perfect sync, requiring a great deal of skill, sync, and stamina. The festival’s spiritual atmosphere is heightened when the music captivates listeners with its increasing intensity and tempo.

Role of Aritsant Community

The artisan community contributes to the beauty and cultural diversity of the temple festival. Their skill and commitment make the elaborate customs and colorful displays that characterize the occasion come to life.

1. Making of Venchamaram and Aalavattam
The Venchamaram ( made from yak hair) and Aalavattam (circular ornamental fans made from feathers of peacock and silk thread) are famously crafted by artisans such as Kadavath Chandran. These objects, which are put atop captive elephants to represent magnificence in temple festivals, are crucial to the Kudamattam ceremony.

(Image: making parasol) (source: TheNewsMinute)

2. Nettippattam’s creation
A traditional artist named Sankarankutty specializes in creating Nettippattam, which are forehead ornamental piece. These symbolize the gods Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, are not only aesthetically pleasing but also have profound symbolic meaning.

3. Parasol Frame – design and creation
The frames of the ceremonial colorful umbrellas or parasols used in the Kudamattam are made by talented craftsmen like Kunnathangadi Vasanthan and Aranattukara Purushothaman. It takes several days of work and about three meters of cloth to make each parasol. Their efforts contribute to the festival’s visual beauty by guaranteeing the parasols’ longevity and overall attractiveness.

Reference to Pop Culture

Numerous cultural creations, like as documentaries, music albums, and films, have been influenced by the magnificence of Pooram. The festival’s spiritual and artistic vibrancy has been captured in films such as “Thrissur Pooram“ (2019) the title and the narrative itself refers to the festival and “Charlie” (2015) in the climax scene where the actor Dulquer Salman meets actress, shows crowds in the temple ground plus the complete background of vibrancy of the festival.

(Image: *thrissur pooram* movie poster) (Source: Facebook)

International travel magazines frequently cover the celebration, and images of elephants, parasols, and fireworks have come to represent Kerala’s international reputation. State tourism efforts have also promoted Thrissur Pooram as a cultural treasure that enhances both domestic and foreign travel.

Current Status

Even with its widespread appeal, Thrissur Pooram nevertheless has to contend with a number of modern issues. Like fireworks-related noise pollution, protection of animals rights and ethical usage of elephants, commercialization of religious rites resulted in concerns among traditionalists, campaigners, and environmentalists. Furthermore, the scope of its implementation is occasionally threatened by budget concerns and climate change.
Nonetheless, local governments, temple committees, and cultural organizations are collaborating to guarantee the festival’s long-term viability. Initiatives such Promoting environmentally friendly behaviors (such as paper parasols and sound limitations), digitizing festival archive film and holding workshops on percussion music and parasol creation to involve young people.
Thrissur Pooram continues to be a living tradition that reflects Kerala’s spirit of community.

^{(Image source: Wikipedia)}

conclusion

Thrissur Pooram, which brilliantly blends spirituality, artistic creation, and social harmony, is a stunning landmark to Kerala’s rich cultural legacy. The event was intended to serve as a unifying factor, uniting different villages and temples in a lavish celebration.

It is a colorful fusion of performances and rituals that appeal to the senses. Beyond its religious significance, Thrissur Pooram is a symbol of harmony throughout the community. The festival’s inclusive attitude is enhanced by the active participation of people from a variety of religious backgrounds. The participation of musicians, artists, and performers from other cultures emphasizes how the event promotes harmony and cross-cultural interaction.

In summary, Thrissur Pooram is a living tradition that captures the heart of Kerala and is more than just a celebration. It is a celebration of togetherness, art, and life that unites people in a common experience that cuts beyond boundaries and time. As it develops further, Thrissur Pooram continues to be a symbol of Kerala’s resilient character and a lighthouse of cultural pride.