Sopanam Vadyolsavam, The Celebration of Rhythms,

Sopanam Vayolsavam , Celebration of Rhythms

Sopanam Vadyolsavam, Celebration of Rhythms,  an event featuring 35 musical ensembles of Kerala tradition will begin on 07 May 2017 at Edappal, Malappuram Dt (Kerala, India). The festival is organised by Sopanam School of Panchavadyam at Alamkode. The celebrations of Sopanam Vadyolsavam 2017 will begin with a grand cultural procession announcing the event. The procession will be flagged off  by Minister for Local Administration, (Govt. of Kerala)  Dr K T Jaleel, on 06 May 2017 (03.00 pm) .  The ceremonial inauguration of the event is done by P Sriramakrishnan ( Speaker, Kerala Legislative Assembly) on 07 May 2017 in a cultural meet held in the morning.The performances of the event Sopanam Vadyolsavam 2017 will be inaugurated by Padmasree Jayaram, the famous film actor of South Indian film industry on the same day evening.

Sopanam Vadyolsavam, Celebration of Rhythms, is an event featuring 35 musical ensembles of Kerala tradition like Panchavadyam, Thayambaka, Melappadam, Thimilayidachil, Mulavadyam, Para Vadyam, Thudikottu, Udukkukottu, Villukottu, etc. The 6-day festival include some innovated orchestras with traditional instruments like Edakka Vismayam, Vadya Samanwayam etc. Exhibition of Musical instruments, costumes of performing arts of Kerala, photo archives of the maestros of the past etc are part of the festival.

07- 12 May 2017: Sopanam Vadyolsavam, The Celebration of Rhythms

Venue: Perumparambu Mahadeva Temple ground, Edappal, Malappuram Dt. (Kerala)

Daily: 03.00 pm- 08.00 pm – exhibition of musical instruments, costumes of Kerala arts, photo archives

07 May 2017:

09.30am-  Sopana Sangeetham by Kavalam Vinod kumar & Balussery Krishnadas

10.00 am- Cultural Meet & Inauguration of the Exhibition of Musical Instruments, Costumes of Kerala Arts and Photo archives by P. Sreeramakrishnan ( Speaker, Kerala Assembly)

04.00 pm- Vadyolsavam Inaguration by Padmasree Jayaram (Film Actor)

05.00 pm- Panchaari Melam by Peruvanam Satheeshan Marar & team (90mts)

Sopana Sangeetham: These are the songs praising the deity with the accompaniments of the percussion Edakka. Earlier it was performed as ritual.

Panchaari melam: Traditional temple orchestration using Chenda (Edamthala, Valamthala), Kombu, Kuzhal, Elathalam, played by men, usually during festivals or celebrations in the temple. In a temple performance, it will take 2hrs- 4 hrs , with min 20 artists. – 100 plus artists. 41 artists perform in Vadyolsavam. Peruvanam Satheesahan Marar and team, a veteran Chenda performer is leading the ensemble.

08 May 2017

03.00 pm-05.00 pm: speech by Dr. Sasidharan Clari; Subject: Art for the well-being of the society

Speech by Iringappuram Babu; Subject: Panchaari Melam & Thayambaka

05.00 pm- 10.00 pm

Mula sangeetham by Vayali Folklore Group, Arangottukara (60mts)

Erula nrutham by Azad kala Sangham, Attappadi (40mts)

Udukkukottipattu by Alamkode Vilakku Sangham ( 15mts)

Cheeni Muttu by Mappila Kala Academi, Edappal Chapter ( 15mts)

Nanduni Pattu by Jayan Vellaloor & team ( 20mts)

Sandhya vela by Thrithala Kesavadas & team (20mts)

Thayambaka by Manjeri Haridas & team (90mts)

Mulasangeetham: this is a musical orchestra using different types of bamboo instruments of classical and folk culture. About 10 artists form the group.  A young group of artists who are doing research in this field – Vayali Folklore group is presenting this performance.

Irula Nrutham: This is an ethnic dance form of Irula community from Attapadi in Palakkad District. The community performs this during their ceremonies death, birth, marriage etc. The instruments used are Poray, Jalara, Thavil and kogal. The group consists of 10-12 artists. Irula Nrutham is presented by Azad Kalasangham, Attappadi.

Udukkukottipattu: Singing folk songs with the accompaniments of the hand drum Udukku is known as Udukkukotti Paatu. This performance is usually held as part of the ritual “Ayyappan Vilakku or Desa Vilakku, the 24 hour long performance to propitiate the Goddess Bhadrakali and Lord Ayyappan, the bachelor God of Kerala. Udukkukotti aattu is performed by men in group with about 7-15 members. Performer simultaneously does the singing as well as the drumming of Udukku. In some places this performance is called Sasthampattu. 

Cheeni Muttu: A type of drum and Cheeni (short pipe) are used in this ensemble, which is usually played by the Muslim community from Malappuram and Palakkad districts. Minimum three artists participate in the programme.

Naduni pattu (Community-Mannan): Nanduni is a string instrument and the song with the accompaniment of Nanduni is called Nanduni Pattu. The main theme of the songs is about Goddess Bhadrakali. This instrument is used by both Mannan and Kallatta Kurup Communities. Usually one or two artists play Nanduni and another artist play Kuzhithalam, tiny cymbals of Kerala.

Sandya Vela: Sandya Vela is an ensemble with traditional instruments –Chenda, Elathalam, etc, which is performed in temples as ritual during sunset. 5-10 artists are needed for this performance.

Thayambaka: It is a traditional ensemble lead by a Chenda artist. More Chenda-s and Elathalams supports the orchestra. 9- 13 artists are needed for this orchestra.

09 May 2017:

03.00 pm-04.00 pm- Speech by Alamkode Leelakrishnan

Subject: Artistic and Cultural tradition of Valluvanad

04.00 pm-05.00 pm- Lecture Demonstration by Janardhanan Pudusseri

Subject: Folk musical instruments

05.00 pm-10.00 pm-

Edakka Vismayam by Peringode Subrahmanian & team (60mts)

Thudikottu by K V Kumaran & team, Vatakara (20mts)

Thimilayidachil by Trainees from Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University for Art & Culture (20mts)

Kombu pattu by Varavoor Appu & team ( 20mts)

Mulam Chenda Melam by Dravida Kala Samithi, Nileswaram (20mts)

Pachavadyam (Panchaari) by Ottappalam Hari & team (70mts)

Saxophone by Haridas Mangalore (90mts)

Edakka vismayam- Edakkavismayam is an orchestration using Edakka, developed by the artists some years back.  Edakka is a traditional percussion cum string instrument, generally used in many temple rituals. 6-10 artists are usually needed for this ensemble.

Thudi – kottu - Thudi is an instrument mainly used by the Pulaya community performed during some performances as well as in some celebrations.

Thimilayidachil - Thimilayidachil is an orchestration using Thimila, developed from the traditional ensemble ‘Panchavadyam’.  Elathalam is the accompanying instrument. 7-15 artists are needed for this ensemble.

Kombu –pattu -  Kombu (a type of horn) and Elathalam (cymbals) are the instruments used in Kombu Pattu. The Kombu leads the ensemble. This is performed usually as a ritual during temple festivals.

Mulam chenda -  Mulam Chenda is the Bamboo drum, which is used by the Mavilar community from Kasaragod. Earlier it was used along with some ritual and also used to keep away the wild animals and birds from their farm land. Mulam Chenda melam is the ensemble with Mulam Chenda developed by the artists from the community. Usually the group consists of   7 artists.

Panchavadyam - Its a traditional orchestration using instruments Thimila, Madhalam, Edakka, Kombu and Elathalam. This is one of the popular orchestrations of Kerala tradition, performed during temple processions. 25 to 100 plus artists do perform in an ensemble which lasts for 1.5 hours to 5 hours.

Saxophone -  A known artist from Kerala performs this musical session,

10 May 2017:

03.00 pm-04.30pm-

Speech by Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan (Former principal, Kerala Kalamandalam)

Subject: Kathakali Melam

05.30 pm-10.00 pm

Nanduni Pattu by Manikandan Kallat Kattakambal & team (20mts)

Arabana Muttu by Mappila Kala Academi, Edappal Chapter (20mts)

Gadhika by P K Kalan Smaraka Gothra Kala Samithi, Mananthavadi (30mts)

Melappadam by Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan, Pookkattiri Vijaya Ragavan, Pookkattiri Maneesh, Kottakkal Ravi, Sadanam Varada Rajan, Cherpulassery Hariharan (percussionists), Kottakkal Madhu, Nedumpalli Ram Mohan (Singers & chengila player), etc. (90mts)

Nadaswara Kacheri by Mettoor Brothers, Selam (80mts)

Nanduni Pattu (community-Kallatta Kurup): Kallatta Kurup is another community who do the worship of the deities Goddess Bhadrakali, Lord Vettakkaran, Lord Anthimakakalan etc. As part of the ritual Kalamezhuthum pattum, they use this instrument to sing the songs of the deities. In Kalamezhuthum pattum, they draw the figure of the deity on the floor using five natural colour powders and do some Pooja to invoke the deity.

Arabana Muttu: Arabana is a kind of hand drum, usually performed by the Muslim community, during their celebrations. 10-15 artists participate in it.

Gaddhika: It is a ritualistic performance by the Adiya Community from Wayanad. Thudi, Chilanka, Cheeni are the instruments used.

Melappadam- Its an orchestration, performed as an introduction to Kathakali, the classical dance- drama of Kerala. The instruments used are Chenda, Madhalam and Chengila. Chengila player also do the singing. This ensemble is a platform to express the talent of the percussionists in Kathakali.

Nadaswaram: Nadaswaram(long pipe) and Thakil, a type of drum are the combination, which is more of Tamil culture. The performance arranged here is by a known artist from Salem (Tamilnadu).

11 May 2017:

03.00 pm- 05.00 pm-

Speech by K B Rajanand

Subject: New experiments in traditional Kerala ensembles.

05.00 pm- 10.00 pm

Mizhavu Melam  by Kalamandalam Ratheesh Bhas & team (30mts)

Paana pattu by Alamkode pana sangham (15 mts)

Kudukka veena Kacheri by Ragesh Kamath, Ottappalam (20 Mts)

Kuzhal pattu by Panamanna Manoharan & team (20mts)

Maramkottu by Kadavallur velayudhan & team (20mts)

Santhoor Kacheri by Hari Alamkode & team (60mts)

Vadya Samanwayam by Kariyannur Narayanan Nambuthiri & team (90 mts)

Mizhavumelam: Mizhavu is an Urn like drum played during Kutiyattam, Chakyarkoothu or Nangiarkoothu performance. Earlier only the male members from the community of Chayars were allowed to do play this drum. Since the recent part, many young artists started playing Mizhavu as an independent orchestration. 7-12 artists usually do the ensemble.

Pana-pattu: Pana or Pallipana is a ritual performance performed mainly in Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur areas by the Nair community to propitiate the Goddess Bhadrakali. The whole ritual is about 24 hours and Panapattu is the main part of this ritual. In Panapattu, the performers sing the songs narrating the story of the Goddess Bhadrakali. The accompaniments are Para , Chenda   and Elathalam. Para is a kind of drum, used mainly for this ritual. (Another type of Para is used by Paraya community for their rituals Thira). Usually 8-12 artists participate in this ritual song.

Kudukkaveena: It’s a simple string instrument made of coconut shell but difficult to play. 

Kuzhal-pattu – Kuzhal is the short pipe of Kerala and is an important instrument in many temple rituals. Kuzhal pattu is an orchestration led by the Kuzhal player. The other instruments in the orchestration are Chenda and Elathalam. Total 4 artists participate in the ensemble.

Maram Kottu: Maram is a type of folk drum, used by the Paraya community in some rituals as well as in celebrations. Chenda, Kurumkuzhal etc are also used as accompaniments. A total of 8-12 artists will be there in the ensemble.

Santhoor Kacheri:  Its an instrumental music recital led by Santoor. Even though Santoor is a North Indian Instrument, Hari Alamkode from Kerala is a talented artist in Santoor and learned it from the maestro Pandir Sivakumar Sharma. Usually Tabla is an accompaniment.

Vadya Samanwayam: Its a newly developed ensemble using the traditional instruments Chenda, Madhalam, Thimila, Edakka, Kombu, Elathalam and Kurumkuzhal. 12-18 artists participate in this orchestra.  This fusion with traditional instruments is designed and performed by Kariyannur Narayanan Nambuthiri, veteran artist and Visiting Professor at Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University and his team.

12 May 2017

03.00 pm-05.00 pm- Concluding Meeting of the Event

05.00 pm- 10.00 pm-

Pancha Madhala Keli by Kalamandalam Ananthakrishnan & team (45mts)

Malappulaya Attam by Marayur Jagadeesh & team, Idukki Dt. (30mts)

Thappu Melam by Gothra Kala peedom, Kunnanthanam, Pathanamthitta Dt. (30mts)

Villimmel Thayambaka by Kalamandalam Rajan & team (30 mts)

Pulluvan Pattu by Edappal Vasu Pulluvan & Team (20mts)

Kolkkali by Mappila Kala Academi, Edappal Chapter (30mts)

Fusion Music by Jaison & team (90mts)

Pancha-Madhala-Keli: Keli is a traditional ensemble, usually performed in temples and also as an introductory music for some other performances like Kathakali. Madhalam, Chenda and elathalam are the instruments used. Pancha Madhala Keli is a special performance using five Madhalams. 12 artists are needed minimum. 

Aattam: Aattam is a dance performance of the tribe Malapulaya from Idukki. The instruments used for this are Kidimutti, Urumi etc. This programme is staged to highlight the importance of their musical instruments. About 10-14 artists are participating in the performance.

Thappu Melam: Thappu is a type of hand drum used in some folk ritual art, especially in Padayani.

Villu –Kottu (Thayambaka): Villukottu is an orchestration using Villu, a bow shaped musical instrument. This was earlier a common instrument in Kerala, especially in Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur districts. But now it is not played commonly. Here the orchestration is like Thayambaka.

Pulluvan-Pattu: Pulluvan Paatu is the songs by the community Pulluvan, who are the snake worshippers. The Instruments used are Pulluvakudam (a type of Pot) and Veena, both are string instruments. Pulluva kudam is usually played by the ladies from the community. The performance is a ritual to propitiate the snake Gods. 3- 5 artists do the performance.

Kolkkali: (Muslim tradition): Kolkkali is a group performance by men using two sticks as a musical instrument. The proposed one is that of Muslim tradition, which is seen in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. 8-16 artists form the ensemble.

Fusion Music: its a contemporary band developed by the young artists using Violin, Flute, Tabla, Jazz and Key board. 

The festival is organised by Sopanam School of Panchavadyam and Sopanam Vadyolsavam Organising Committee, Edappal.

For more info:

E:sopanamvadyolsavam@gmail.com

Ph: +91- 8086351794