National Percussion Festival Begins with Three-Day Celebration in Thrissur

Speedy Summary

• The Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi launched its first-ever National Percussion Festival called Thathinthakathom in thrissur, dedicated to legendary ustad Zakir Hussain.
• This three-day event showcases Indian percussion traditions, blending Kerala’s native rhythmic heritage with national forms.
• Highlights included performances like Idakka,Melappadam,and Double Thayambaka on Mizhavu,captivating audiences through immersive musical experiences.
• Tribal groups from Idukki and Attappady presented unique percussion styles, alongside customary art forms like Sinkari Melam and Muttum Viliyum.
• The formal inauguration featured a ‘Thappu’ performance by the Akademi chairman Mattannur Sankarankutty, with speeches from other eminent figures such as poet B.K. Harinarayanan and festival curator Keli ramachandran highlighting the significance of the event.
• other performances showcased diverse Indian rhythms, including Thappattam (Tamil Nadu folk dance), kartal (desert rhythm), Kombupattu by Odakkali murali’s team, and a special choreographed finale led by Sankarankutty himself.
• A short film honoring Ustad Zakir Hussain was also screened during the festival.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The National Percussion Festival represents a milestone in preserving and celebrating India’s rhythm culture while spotlighting Kerala’s rhythmic heritage within a larger national context. By curating an exclusive platform for percussion arts-from tribal rituals to classical traditions-the event underscores how rhythm serves not only as entertainment but as a cultural connector across regions and identities in India.

This initiative may pave the way for more niche explorations of musical traditions nationwide while reinforcing India’s legacy of producing globally respected talent like Ustad Zakir Hussain. Furthermore, inclusion of tribal performers highlights efforts to promote diversity within mainstream platforms while offering them visibility beyond small-scale arenas.

For Kerala itself, this grand confluence strengthens Thrissur’s position as an artistic hub while demonstrating proactive steps by institutions like the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi toward showcasing lesser-known yet integral facets of Indian performing arts.

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