The banks of the Bharathapuzha at Perumparamba, near Edappal, are set to reverberate with the sounds of the largest traditional percussion ensemble in Kerala.

Panchavadyam

• Literally meaning an orchestra of five instruments, is basically a temple art form that has evolved in Kerala.

• Of the five instruments, four – timila, maddalam, ilathalam and idakka – belong to thepercussion category, while the fifth, kombu, is a wind instrument.

• Panchavadyam is characterised by a pyramid-like rhythmic structure with a constantly increasing tempo coupled with a proportional decrease in the number of beats in cycles.

Thayambaka

• It is a type of solo chenda.

• A Chenda is a cylindrical wooden drum, and has a length of two feet and a diameter of one foot.

• It is a performance that developed in Kerala, in which the main player at the centre improvises rhythmically on the beats of half-a-dozen or a few more chenda and ilathalam players around.

Mizhavu

• Mizhavu is a big copper drum played as an accompanying percussion instrument in the Koodiyattam and Koothu, performing arts of Kerala.

• It is played by the Ambalavasi Nambiar community.

• After 1965, the cast barrier having broken, anyone can play mizhavu in koodiyattam.

Koodiyattam

• It is a form of Sanskrit theatre traditionally performed in the state of Kerala.

• It is officially recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

• It is the only surviving specimen of the ancient Sanskrit theatre.

• It finds several mentions in ancient sangam literature.

Koothu

• Koothu is an informal dance structure, which originated in Tamil land.

• The performances generally depict scenes from ancient epics like Ramayana, Mahabharatha and other classical epics.

• There are traditionally no dialogues, instead only songs.