For the people of Wandoor in Malappuram, the mizhavu thayambaka held at Thiruvambadi Siva Krishna Temple at Naduvathu last week, was a novel experience and one that they enjoyed thoroughly.
Temple authorities said the thayambaka in mizhavu, presented by Kalamandalam Ravi Kumar and team, was a rare feat for the temple and the people of the region. Mr. Ravi Kumar and team left the curious audience spellbound with their 90-minute performance.
“It was a wonderful experience, a rare feat indeed,” said Pramosh, an artiste who arranged the musical evening at the temple.
‘Unforgettable’
Mr. Ravi Kumar said performing at Wandoor was unforgettable. “I cannot forget the kind of support and encouragement given by the people of the region,” he said.
He said performing thayambaka (solo) in mizhavu was more satisfying than playing for Koodiyattom or Koothu. Mizhavu, a large copper pot with a tightly covered mouth, is the main percussion instrument for Koodiyattom, Koothu and Nangiarkoothu.
Solo performance in mizhavu is a relatively recent development. K.P. Narayanan Nambiar is credited with introducing mizhavu into the thayambaka genre, where chenda ruled the roost until recently.
Mr. Ravi Kumar had the support of Kalamandalam Vineeth and Kalamandalam Vijay on mizhavu, and Unnikrishnan and Kodakara Sajeev on cymbal. A local expert lent chenda support to the thayambaka performance.
A scion of the famed Ammannur family from Irinjalakkuda, Mr. Ravi Kumar has been practising the mizhavu for over two decades. He said there was tremendous potential in the percussion art even by retaining its religious sanctity.
