Thrissur has always been a night's trip away, but, somehow, I have never gone for Thrissur Pooram, says RJ-turned-actor Nyla Usha. The young actress recounts her experience on the mother of all festivals.
When I arrived at Thekkinkadu Maidanam in the wee hours of Friday morning, it was a hub of activity. The small poorams were just arriving, people carrying percussion instruments were walking around and there were caparisoned elephants too. Last minute preparations were on at many places. And on the sidelines, street vendors were selling everything from masks to balloons. The crowd just kept growing as the day went on.
It was the first time that I was seeing so many caparisoned elephants up close. Listening to the panchavadyam (percussion instrument show) 'live' was also a first. When the first beats of the Madathil Varavu began, the reaction from the crowd was nothing short of electrifying. Even the blazing sun did not deter the crowd. The dedication, devotion and the atmosphere of festive cheer were exhilarating. The summer sun could do nothing to dampen the spirit of the festival.
I was enthralled by the procession from Paramekkavu temple. The crowds moving from one venue to the other despite the blazing summer sun was yet another unique experience. Ilanjitharamelam under Kuttan Marar's leadership was another unforgettable experience.
