Mattannur Sankaranchutty, Maestro drums and chairman of Keraral Sangeeth Nataka Akdemi are enjoying the rhythms of artists Muttum Viliyum Ustad Muhammed and the team at the National Percussion Festival on the campus Academs. | Photo Credit: Najeeb kk
The National Percussion Festival – called Thathinthakathom – organized by Kerala Sangeeth Nataka Academi started on Friday in Thrissur on Thrissur.
This is the first Keral’s first festival at the national level dedicated to the legendary Ustad Zakira Hussain, showing a wide range of Indian rhythmic traditions during three pulsating days.
Although it organizes a number of programs dedicated to music and theater, it is the first time a big festival was exclusively curator to celebrate drum percussion, said Mattannur Sankarankutty, chairman of the Academs.
“The festival of drum form is a spectacular confluence that represents a rich range of drum instruments that form the backbone of the rhythmic heritage of the state, designed as a chain of beautiful pearls, the festival smoothly Keraral’s tissues together Kerala’s Triations Tradions with Indian traditions,” he said.
This historical event brings together a variety of drum traditions from all over India and offers a great celebration of rhythm, sound and tradition under one roof.
The actor Mural Theater was full of rhythm enthusiasts since the morning. The three -day festival, designed as a unique mixture of melody and rhythm, opened the soulful performance of Idakka led by Peringode Subrahmanian and Team. Starting with resonant calling, the performance of a number of emotions and expressions has evoked and captured the hall.
When the rhythm beats from the heart, its energy shifts the whole body – and it was exactly the experience of meppadam that played Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan and Team. Meppadam combined melodic tools and drum percussion in perfect synergy. Malappadam became more than just a drum performance, a absorbing musical experience that left the audience moved and inspired.
During the electrifying celebration of the rhythm, the power of the double Thayambaka captured the heart of the drum lovers. Each rhythm reached the heart of the audience and offered a rare chance to witness the complex beauty and strength of Keral’s drum heritage up close.
The afternoon session represented Sirkari Melam by COLLANNAR ATAM Kala Samiti followed by presentations and explanations of rhythmic patterns in the Arjuna Nritham and Garudanthookkamkam.
The tribal drum performance of the Malappulaya tribe of Idukki and the Irullar Attappady tribe was a different experience. This was followed by the traditional art form of muttum viliyum led by Ustad Muhammed and the team.
The festival was formally inaugurated by the chairman of the Mattannur Sankarankutty by the “Thappu” show, the traditional percussion instrument. He chaired a member of the Government Committee with Academs.
The poet and lyric BK Harinarayan presented a monument speech at Ustad Zakir Hussain. The curator of the Keli Ramacandran festival outlined the vision of the event. Secretary Sangeeth Natka Academi Karivellur Murali, Litithakala Academy chairman Murali Cheroth, also spoke the drums Mastro pervanam kuttan Mar.
Thetattam, folk dance from Tamil Nadu, performed by Thirnangai Tamilini, followed by an inauguration function. Kartal, desert rhythm, followed by Muhammad Rafiq and Shaheer Khan and Kombupatta from Zanakkali Murali et al.
The program of the first day culminated in the special choreographic percussion performance of Mattannur Sankarankutty and the group. A short film on Ustad Zakir Hussain was also screened.
Published – 11 July 2025 20:50 is