Panchavadyam - Revision history

KariMccool73: added references

2025-07-29T22:33:32Z

added references

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:03, 30 July 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
			{{Short description\|Musical art form in Kerala, India}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=December 2019}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2019}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=December 2019}}
Line 11:		Line 12:
	[[File:Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri,Kerala.jpg\|thumb\|Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri Ayyappan Kaavu, Kerala, India]]		[[File:Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri,Kerala.jpg\|thumb\|Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri Ayyappan Kaavu, Kerala, India]]
	[[File:Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam.webm\|thumb\|Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam]]		[[File:Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam.webm\|thumb\|Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam]]
	'''Panchavadyam''' ([[Malayalam]]: പഞ്ചവാദ്യം), 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 the percussion category, while the fifth, [[Kombu, Kerala\|kombu]], is a wind instrument.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/\|title=Panchavadyam - traditional orchestra of Kerala\|website=www.keralaculture.org\|language=en\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/traditional-orchestras/134\|title=Traditional orchestras of Kerala, Panchavadyam, Pandi Melam, Panchari Melam, Thayambaka, Enchanting Kerala, Newsletter, Kerala Tourism\|website=Kerala Tourism\|language=en\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=47\|title=Art & Culture\|website=archive.india.gov.in\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref>		'''Panchavadyam''' ([[Malayalam]]: പഞ്ചവാദ്യം), literally meaning an orchestra of five instruments,<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Sherinian \|first=Zoe C. \|year=2004 \|title=India: A musical anthology. Rounder Records 82161-1755-2. (A Danielou) \|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298132183 \|journal=Ethnomusicology \|volume=48 \|issue=3 \|pages=475–478}}</ref> is basically a temple art form that has evolved in [[Kerala]]. Of the five instruments, four — [[timila]], [[maddalam]], [[ilathalam]] and [[idakka]] — belong to the percussion category, while the fifth, [[Kombu, Kerala\|kombu]], is a wind instrument.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/\|title=Panchavadyam - traditional orchestra of Kerala\|website=www.keralaculture.org\|language=en\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/traditional-orchestras/134\|title=Traditional orchestras of Kerala, Panchavadyam, Pandi Melam, Panchari Melam, Thayambaka, Enchanting Kerala, Newsletter, Kerala Tourism\|website=Kerala Tourism\|language=en\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=47\|title=Art & Culture\|website=archive.india.gov.in\|access-date=2019-04-14}}{{Dead link\|date=July 2025 \|bot=InternetArchiveBot \|fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

	Much like any [[chenda]] melam, 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. However, in contrast to a chenda melam, panchavadyam uses different instruments (though ilathalam and kompu are common to both), is not related very closely to any temple ritual and, most importantly, permits much personal improvisation while filling up the rhythmic beats on the timila, maddalam and idakka.<ref name=PIB1>{{Cite web\|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=104807\|title=Panchavadyams and Poorams: Spectacles of North Kerala\|website=pib.gov.in\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref>		Much like any [[chenda]] melam, 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.<ref>{{cite journal \|last1=Viswanathan \|first1=Kaladharan \|title=Kerala Kalamandalam: A legacy revisited \|journal=Indian Theatre Journal \|date=2023-06-01 \|volume=7 \|issue=1 \|pages=17–35 \|doi=10.1386/itj_00032_1 \|url=https://intellectdiscover.com/content/journals/10.1386/itj_00032_1 \|access-date=2025-02-07\|url-access=subscription }}</ref> However, in contrast to a chenda melam, panchavadyam uses different instruments (though ilathalam and kompu are common to both), is not related very closely to any temple ritual and, most importantly, permits much personal improvisation while filling up the rhythmic beats on the timila, maddalam and idakka.<ref name=PIB1>{{Cite web\|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=104807\|title=Panchavadyams and Poorams: Spectacles of North Kerala\|website=pib.gov.in\|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref>

	Panchavadyam bases itself on the seven-beat thripuda (also spelt thripuda) thaalam ([[Tala (music)\|taal]]) but amusingly sticks to the pattern of the eight-beat chempata thaalam — at least until its last parts. Its pendulum beats in the first stage (pathikaalam) total 896, and halves itself with each stage, making it 448 in the second, 224 in the third, 112 in the fourth and 56 in the fifth. After this, panchavadyam has a relatively loose second half with as many stages, the pendulum beats of which would now scale down to 28, 14, 7, 3.5(three-and-a-half) and 1.<ref name=PIB1 />		Panchavadyam bases itself on the seven-beat thripuda (also spelt thripuda) thaalam ([[Tala (music)\|taal]]) but amusingly sticks to the pattern of the eight-beat chempata thaalam — at least until its last parts. Its pendulum beats in the first stage (pathikaalam) total 896, and halves itself with each stage, making it 448 in the second, 224 in the third, 112 in the fourth and 56 in the fifth. After this, panchavadyam has a relatively loose second half with as many stages, the pendulum beats of which would now scale down to 28, 14, 7, 3.5(three-and-a-half) and 1.<ref name=PIB1 />

	Whether panchavadyam is originally a feudal art is still a matter of debate among scholars, but its elaborate form in vogue today came into existence in the 1930s. It was primarily the brainchild of late maddalam artistes [[Venkichan Swami]] (Thiruvillwamala Venkateswara Iyer) and his disciple [[Madhava Warrier]] in association with late timila masters [[Annamanada Achutha Marar]] and [[Chengamanad Sekhara Kurup]]. Subsequently it was promoted the late idakka master [[Pattirath Sankara Marar]]. They dug space for a stronger foundation (the Pathikaalam), thus making pachavadyam a five-stage (kaalam) concert with an intelligent mixture of composed and improvised parts. Spanning about two hours, it has several phrases where each set of the instruments complement the others more like [[harmony]] in the [[orchestra\|Western orchestra]] than the concept of [[melody]] in [[India]]. Much like in Panchari and other kinds of chenda melam, panchavadyam, too, has its artistes lined up in two oval-shaped halves, facing each other. However, unlike any classical chenda melam, panchavadyam seemingly gains pace in the early stages itself, thereby tending to sound more casual and breezy right from its start, beginning after three lengthy, stylised blows on the conch (shankhu).		Whether panchavadyam is originally a feudal art is still a matter of debate among scholars, but its elaborate form in vogue today came into existence in the 1930s. It was primarily the brainchild of late maddalam artistes [[Venkichan Swami]] (Thiruvillwamala Venkateswara Iyer) and his disciple [[Madhava Warrier]] in association with late timila masters [[Annamanada Achutha Marar]] and [[Chengamanad Sekhara Kurup]]. Subsequently, it was promoted the late idakka master [[Pattirath Sankara Marar]]. They dug space for a stronger foundation (the Pathikaalam), thus making pachavadyam a five-stage (kaalam) concert with an intelligent mixture of composed and improvised parts. Spanning about two hours, it has several phrases where each set of the instruments complement the others more like [[harmony]] in the [[orchestra\|Western orchestra]] than the concept of [[melody]] in [[India]]. Much like in Panchari and other kinds of chenda melam, panchavadyam, too, has its artistes lined up in two oval-shaped halves, facing each other. However, unlike any classical chenda melam, panchavadyam seemingly gains pace in the early stages itself, thereby tending to sound more casual and breezy right from its start, beginning after three lengthy, stylised blows on the conch (shankhu).

	A panchavadyam is anchored and led by the timila artist at the centre of his band of instrumentalists, behind whom line up the ilathalam players. Opposite them stand the maddalam players in a row, and behind them are the kompu players. Idakka players, usually two, stand on both sides of the aisle separating the timila and maddalam line-up. A major panchavadyam will have 60 artistes.		A panchavadyam is anchored and led by the timila artist at the centre of his band of instrumentalists, behind whom line up the ilathalam players. Opposite them stand the maddalam players in a row, and behind them are the kompu players. Idakka players, usually two, stand on both sides of the aisle separating the timila and maddalam line-up. A major panchavadyam will have 60 artistes.
Line 25:		Line 26:
	== Major venues ==		== Major venues ==

	There are several central and northern Kerala temples that have been traditionally playing host to major pachavadyam performances. Prominent festivals featuring them are [[Thrissur Pooram]] (its renowned Panchavadyam event is known as 'Madhathil Varavu'), Nadappura Panchavadyam at Wadakancheri Siva Temple participating to famous Uthralikkavu Vela at Wadakancheri, Kaladi Panchavadyam ulsavam, Machattu Thiruvanikkavu vela, Nenmara-Vallangi vela, [[Kizhakkencherry]] Ratholsavam, Vayilliamkunnu Pooram, Pariyanampatta pooram, Chinakathoor pooram, [[Varavoor]] Palakkal Karthika vela, Tirumandhamkunnu pooram purappadu, Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Aarattu, Tripunithura Thamaramkulangara Makaravilakku, Thiruvona Mahotsavam at Sree Vamanamoorthy Temple Thrikkakara, Kunnathurmedu Balamurali Sree Krishna Jayanthi Maholsavam and Cherpulassery Ayyappan Kavu ulsavam, besides temples in places like Chottanikkara, Odakkali, [[Vaikom]], Ambalapuzha, Perumbavur, Pazhur, Ramamangalam, Ooramana, Nayathodu, Chengamanad, Elavoor, Chennamangalam, Triprayar/Arratupuzha, Irinjalakuda, Alathara sree kodikkunnnath pooram (Anakkallu desham), Thiruvillwamala, [[Pallassena]], Pallavoor and several renowned temples in [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)\|Malabar]] like Kottakkal Viswambhara Temple and Kottakkal Pandamangalam Sreekrishna Temple, Mannarkkad Pallikurup Manadala Niramala and further up in Tulu Nadu. Chembuthara Kodungallur Bagavathi Temple on the first Tuesday of Malayalam month "Makaram". On every 2 October Panchavadhyam is conducted on Annamanada Mahadeva Temple on behalf of late Annamanada Peethambara Marar, Achutha Marar and Parameshwara Marar popularly known as Annamanada Threyyam.		There are several central and northern Kerala temples that have been traditionally playing host to major pachavadyam performances.<ref>{{Cite thesis \|last=KRISHNA KC \|first=ARCHANA \|date=2024-09-10 \|title=EVERYDAYNESS OF A DALIT THEYYAM ARTIST: CASTE, ECONOMY, AND LIFE FROM NORTH MALABAR \|url=http://digitallibrary.loyolacollegekerala.edu.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/3064/1/Archana%20Krishna%20K%20C.pdf \|publisher=University of Kerala}}</ref> Prominent festivals featuring them are [[Thrissur Pooram]] (its renowned Panchavadyam event is known as 'Madhathil Varavu'), Nadappura Panchavadyam at Wadakancheri Siva Temple participating to famous Uthralikkavu Vela at Wadakancheri, Kaladi Panchavadyam ulsavam, Machattu Thiruvanikkavu vela, Nenmara-Vallangi vela, [[Kizhakkencherry]] Ratholsavam, Vayilliamkunnu Pooram, Pariyanampatta pooram, Chinakathoor pooram, [[Varavoor]] Palakkal Karthika vela, Tirumandhamkunnu pooram purappadu, Tripunithura [[Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple\|Sree Poornathrayeesa]] Aarattu, Tripunithura [[Thamaramkulangara Sree Dharma Sastha Temple\|Thamaramkulangara]] Makaravilakku, Thiruvona Mahotsavam at Sree Vamanamoorthy Temple Thrikkakara, Kunnathurmedu Balamurali Sree Krishna Jayanthi Maholsavam and Cherpulassery Ayyappan Kavu ulsavam, besides temples in places like Chottanikkara, Odakkali, [[Vaikom]], Ambalapuzha, Perumbavur, Pazhur, Ramamangalam, Ooramana, Nayathodu, Chengamanad, Elavoor, Chennamangalam, Triprayar/Arratupuzha, Irinjalakuda, Alathara sree kodikkunnnath pooram (Anakkallu desham), Thiruvillwamala, [[Pallassena]], Pallavoor and several renowned temples in [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)\|Malabar]] like Kottakkal Viswambhara Temple and Kottakkal Pandamangalam Sreekrishna Temple, Mannarkkad Pallikurup Manadala Niramala and further up in Tulu Nadu. Chembuthara Kodungallur Bagavathi Temple on the first Tuesday of Malayalam month "Makaram". On every 2 October Panchavadhyam is conducted on Annamanada Mahadeva Temple on behalf of late Annamanada Peethambara Marar, Achutha Marar and Parameshwara Marar popularly known as Annamanada Threyyam.

	== Training institutes ==		== Training institutes ==

	Some of the known institutions that give formal training in panchavadyam are [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] and Kshetra Kalapeetham in [[Vaikom]] and also kshethrakala kshethram kongad. In addition to the above Sri. Thrikkampuram Krishnankutty Marar himself trained many people. All the panchavadyam performances in Kerala will have at least one of his disciples as a performer.		Some of the known institutions that give formal training in panchavadyam are [[Kerala Kalamandalam]]<ref>{{Cite journal \|last=Allen \|first=Richard \|date=2023-04-03 \|title=Kerala International Festival of Theatre Schools (IFTS) 2023 \|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/23322551.2023.2207964 \|journal=Theatre and Performance Design \|volume=9 \|issue=1–2 \|pages=112–119 \|doi=10.1080/23322551.2023.2207964 \|issn=2332-2551\|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and Kshetra Kalapeetham in [[Vaikom]] and also kshethrakala kshethram kongad. In addition to the above Sri. Thrikkampuram Krishnankutty Marar himself trained many people. All the panchavadyam performances in Kerala will have at least one of his disciples as a performer.

	==See also==		==See also==
Line 52:		Line 53:

	[[Category:Kerala music]]		[[Category:Kerala music]]
	[[Category:~~Percussion~~ ensembles]]		[[Category:Types of percussion ensembles]]
	[[Category:Hindu music]]		[[Category:Hindu music]]
	[[Category:Indian musical groups]]		[[Category:Indian musical groups]]

imported>BattyBot: Moved See also above References per MOS:ORDER and other General fixes

2021-05-31T16:26:28Z

Moved See also above References per MOS:ORDER and other General fixes

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Multiple issues
|
{{more citations needed|date=August 2010}}
{{primary sources|date=August 2010}}
{{original research|date=August 2010}}
{{cleanup list|date=May 2011}}
}}

[[File:Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri,Kerala.jpg|thumb|Panchavadyam Cherpulasseri Ayyappan Kaavu, Kerala, India]]
[[File:Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam.webm|thumb|Panchavadyam at anandanathukavu, Ernakulam]]
'''Panchavadyam''' ([[Malayalam]]: പഞ്ചവാദ്യം), 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 the percussion category, while the fifth, [[Kombu, Kerala|kombu]], is a wind instrument.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/|title=Panchavadyam - traditional orchestra of Kerala|website=www.keralaculture.org|language=en|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/kerala-article/traditional-orchestras/134|title=Traditional orchestras of Kerala, Panchavadyam, Pandi Melam, Panchari Melam, Thayambaka, Enchanting Kerala, Newsletter, Kerala Tourism|website=Kerala Tourism|language=en|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.india.gov.in/knowindia/state_uts.php?id=47|title=Art & Culture|website=archive.india.gov.in|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref>

Much like any [[chenda]] melam, 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. However, in contrast to a chenda melam, panchavadyam uses different instruments (though ilathalam and kompu are common to both), is not related very closely to any temple ritual and, most importantly, permits much personal improvisation while filling up the rhythmic beats on the timila, maddalam and idakka.<ref name=PIB1>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=104807|title=Panchavadyams and Poorams: Spectacles of North Kerala|website=pib.gov.in|access-date=2019-04-14}}</ref>

Panchavadyam bases itself on the seven-beat thripuda (also spelt thripuda) thaalam ([[Tala (music)|taal]]) but amusingly sticks to the pattern of the eight-beat chempata thaalam — at least until its last parts. Its pendulum beats in the first stage (pathikaalam) total 896, and halves itself with each stage, making it 448 in the second, 224 in the third, 112 in the fourth and 56 in the fifth. After this, panchavadyam has a relatively loose second half with as many stages, the pendulum beats of which would now scale down to 28, 14, 7, 3.5(three-and-a-half) and 1.<ref name=PIB1 />

Whether panchavadyam is originally a feudal art is still a matter of debate among scholars, but its elaborate form in vogue today came into existence in the 1930s. It was primarily the brainchild of late maddalam artistes [[Venkichan Swami]] (Thiruvillwamala Venkateswara Iyer) and his disciple [[Madhava Warrier]] in association with late timila masters [[Annamanada Achutha Marar]] and [[Chengamanad Sekhara Kurup]]. Subsequently it was promoted the late idakka master [[Pattirath Sankara Marar]]. They dug space for a stronger foundation (the Pathikaalam), thus making pachavadyam a five-stage (kaalam) concert with an intelligent mixture of composed and improvised parts. Spanning about two hours, it has several phrases where each set of the instruments complement the others more like [[harmony]] in the [[orchestra|Western orchestra]] than the concept of [[melody]] in [[India]]. Much like in Panchari and other kinds of chenda melam, panchavadyam, too, has its artistes lined up in two oval-shaped halves, facing each other. However, unlike any classical chenda melam, panchavadyam seemingly gains pace in the early stages itself, thereby tending to sound more casual and breezy right from its start, beginning after three lengthy, stylised blows on the conch (shankhu).

A panchavadyam is anchored and led by the timila artist at the centre of his band of instrumentalists, behind whom line up the ilathalam players. Opposite them stand the maddalam players in a row, and behind them are the kompu players. Idakka players, usually two, stand on both sides of the aisle separating the timila and maddalam line-up. A major panchavadyam will have 60 artistes.

Panchavadyam is still largely a temple art, but it has come out of its precincts to be seen performed during non-religious occasions like cultural pageantry and according welcome to VIPs.

== Major venues ==

There are several central and northern Kerala temples that have been traditionally playing host to major pachavadyam performances. Prominent festivals featuring them are [[Thrissur Pooram]] (its renowned Panchavadyam event is known as 'Madhathil Varavu'), Nadappura Panchavadyam at Wadakancheri Siva Temple participating to famous Uthralikkavu Vela at Wadakancheri, Kaladi Panchavadyam ulsavam, Machattu Thiruvanikkavu vela, Nenmara-Vallangi vela, [[Kizhakkencherry]] Ratholsavam, Vayilliamkunnu Pooram, Pariyanampatta pooram, Chinakathoor pooram, [[Varavoor]] Palakkal Karthika vela, Tirumandhamkunnu pooram purappadu, Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Aarattu, Tripunithura Thamaramkulangara Makaravilakku, Thiruvona Mahotsavam at Sree Vamanamoorthy Temple Thrikkakara, Kunnathurmedu Balamurali Sree Krishna Jayanthi Maholsavam and Cherpulassery Ayyappan Kavu ulsavam, besides temples in places like Chottanikkara, Odakkali, [[Vaikom]], Ambalapuzha, Perumbavur, Pazhur, Ramamangalam, Ooramana, Nayathodu, Chengamanad, Elavoor, Chennamangalam, Triprayar/Arratupuzha, Irinjalakuda, Alathara sree kodikkunnnath pooram (Anakkallu desham), Thiruvillwamala, [[Pallassena]], Pallavoor and several renowned temples in [[Malabar (Northern Kerala)|Malabar]] like Kottakkal Viswambhara Temple and Kottakkal Pandamangalam Sreekrishna Temple, Mannarkkad Pallikurup Manadala Niramala and further up in Tulu Nadu. Chembuthara Kodungallur Bagavathi Temple on the first Tuesday of Malayalam month "Makaram". On every 2 October Panchavadhyam is conducted on Annamanada Mahadeva Temple on behalf of late Annamanada Peethambara Marar, Achutha Marar and Parameshwara Marar popularly known as Annamanada Threyyam.

== Training institutes ==

Some of the known institutions that give formal training in panchavadyam are [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] and Kshetra Kalapeetham in [[Vaikom]] and also kshethrakala kshethram kongad. In addition to the above Sri. Thrikkampuram Krishnankutty Marar himself trained many people. All the panchavadyam performances in Kerala will have at least one of his disciples as a performer.

==See also==
* [[Parisha Vadyam]]
* [[Pandi Melam]]
* [[Panchari melam]]
* [[Thayambaka]]
* [[Kerala Kalamandalam]]
* [[Music of Kerala]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Panchavadyam}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070521063513/http://melam.gosree.org/#top Melam Collections]
* [http://sopanam.info School of Panchavadhyam]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HmjXA5fpA4 Youtube Video]

{{Culture of Kerala}}
{{Music of Kerala}}

[[Category:Kerala music]]
[[Category:Percussion ensembles]]
[[Category:Hindu music]]
[[Category:Indian musical groups]]