Thrissur: The Penkalangal session held on the second day of the National Rhythm Festival at the Kerala Sangeeth Nataka Academy was a tribute to the women artists. The session began with an introductory speech by noted Mohiniyattam artist Deepti Omcherry Bhalla. Deepti’s performance was accompanied by a song rendered in the beautiful voice of Suprabha from Kalamandalam.

This was followed by Yuvathala Tharangam, a piece composed in takil led by Amritavarshini, a young artist from Tamil Nadu. She was joined by Chennai Thiru Arul with the saxophone, Chennai Kala with violin, Sarvesh Karthik and Kovai Sabareesh with mridangam and handsonic respectively as well as Salem Mukund playing the ganjira, Chennai Sainath on khadam and Kottoor Mohan playing ilathalam. 

Akhila Joshi and Sibi Pala presented Margam Kali accompanied only by the percussion. Kalamandalam Sharmila and team impressed the audience with their incredible ttanthullal performance. Mukta Raste from Mumbai created magical beats on tabla while Santhosh Khande joined her with harmonium. Penkalangal ended with a tayambaka rendition by Nandini Varma and team. 

The second day of the rhythm festival began with a grand pancharimelam led by 80 year old percussion artist Therozhi Ramakurup. Meanwhile, Cheranallur Shankarankutty Marar, Thiruvalla Radhakrishna Marar, Poroor Haridas and Vellithuruthi Unni Nair performed the tempo from two to five beats.

Chenda was by Valamthala Kizhakoot Kuttan Marar and Team while kurumkuzhal was handled by Panamanna Manoharan and team. Unni Nair and his team played kombu while ilathalam was played by Asiad Shashi. 

Around 118 percussion artists performed the mega pancharimelam on the stage at the same time. The rhythm festival ends today with a valedictory function at 6.30 pm. The ITFOK media awards will be distributed at the closing event. The closing ceremony will be inaugurated by Minister R Bindu.