Kerala Tradition & Fascinating Destinations 2014 Kerala Tradition & Destinations 2014 | Page 271

Caparisoned Elephants
Major attraction of Pooram

arrange procession from Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu temples with 15
caparisoned elephants each. Apart from these 30 caparisoned tuskers
there are 15 additional stand by. Kundamattom (exchange of decorated
umbrellas) in different fascinating colours is a major attraction of
Pooram. What is more exhilarating is the performance of instrumental
music displayed in situ, a blend of all major Kerala musical instruments finding place. Panchavadyam, Pandimelam and Pancharimelam
are the main one. Chenda(drum), Maddalam, Thimila, Edakka, Conch,
Chengila, Kaalam, Kuzhal - everything. Fire work is yet another attraction. The sample fire work is held in the evening of the day before the
previous day of Pooram while the real fire-work takes place at 3.00 in
the following morning of the festival day. People of the town, mainly
traders, partake the huge expenses involved without any petty feelings of caste or creed. Therefore Thrissur Pooram is the real festival of
people of Kerala.
Cheruthuruthy: (32 km north of Thrissur) Cheruthuruthy is the seat of the
Kerala Kalamandalam.Thrissur is famous for being the headquarter of
Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed university devoted to promote classical
arts like Kathakali, Mohiniyattom, Thullal, Bharathanatyam, Kuchupudi,
Vadyam, Thayambaka, Ashtapa-dikoothu and Koodiyattom. Classical
Music, Kathakali Music, Musical Instruments like Chenda, Maddalam,
Edakka, Thayambaka, Panchava-dyam etc. are also taught here. It was
the great poet Vallathol Narayana Menon who established this institute
which later became a land mark in history.
Many teams of Kerala
Kalamandalam have toured around the globe several times presenting
Kathakali and other fine arts, thereby upholding the cultural values of India.
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, Sahitya Academy etc. are also situated in
the heart of Thrissur Town.
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TRADITION AND DESTINATIONS|THRISSUR