'You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine'

A Wonderful Story

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to assist her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee .

In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every ! minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee . The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.

Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.

Michael however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. I want to sing to her, he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over.

Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.

The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, 'Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed.' The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. 'He is not leaving until he sings to his sister' she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang:

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.' Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.

'Keep on singing, Michael,' encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.

'You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away.

As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr 'Keep on singing, sweetheart.'

'The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms'. Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.

'Keep on singing, Michael.' Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed.

'You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away...'

The next day...the very next day. The little girl was well enough to go home


Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love.


Never give up on the people you love, it’s so incredibly powerful.




Courtesy : A Forwarded Mail

വീടുപേര്‍/Malayalam house names - part 3

നിങ്ങളില്‍ കുറെ പേര്‍ എന്റെ അസാനിധ്യത്തില്‍ വീട് പേരുകള്‍ അന്വേഷികുനുണ്ടായിരുന്നു അല്ലെ.. മാപ്പ്.. ഈയുള്ളവള്‍ അത് അറിഞ്ഞില്ല..

അതിന്റെ പ്രായിസ്ചിത്തം എന്നോണ്ണം ഇതാ കുറച്ചു പുതിയ വീട് പേരുകള്‍.. 

മാനസരോവര്‍	ദളമര്‍മരങ്ങള്‍	നീര്‍തടം
പളുങ്ക്	താരാപഥം	ഇന്ദീരം
ചെമ്പകകാവ്‌	ഓര്‍മചെപ്പ്	കൂടാരം
ഇളവന്നൂര്‍ മഠം	പാലിയത് കാവ്‌	കുടജാദ്രി
ഇന്ദീവരം	പാഞ്ചജന്യം	നീലാഞ്ജനം
വിനീതം	രാജരേഖ	ഓമനം
ദിവ്യം	നവീനം	പങ്കജം
രോചനം	പ്രയാഗം	നയനം
പല്ലവം	നികുന്ജം	സന്ജോഗം
നീഹാരം	സൌരവം	ശശാങ്കം
നീരജം	ശ്രേയം	സോഹനം
തിലകം	ഉധിതം	നവനീതം
ശ്രീ ഭവനം	അതുലം	മേഘം
നളിനം	അമോലം	സ്വപ്രിയം
ഗിരീശം	മയൂരം	ലോകം
മാണിക്യം	ഗീതം	അഭിനവം
കിരണം	രശ്മി	അമോഘം
ഗോവിന്ദം	ചൈതന്യം	ദീപം
ദേവാന്ഗം	പ്രീത്യം	അതുല്യം
അമൂല്യം	ചന്ദ്രഹാസം	ചന്ദനം

കൂടുതൽ വീട്ടുപേരുകൾ - Part 1 Part 2

Hahahaha.. booohahahaha..

ABCD is American Born Confused Desi... 


Then, what is ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ..


:-)


Think friends... 


American Born Confused Desi, Emigrated From Gujarat, Housed In Jersey, Keeping Lotsa Motels, Named Omkarnath Patel, Quickly Reached Success Through Underhanded Vicious Ways, Xenophobic Yet Zestful


Howzzat!!!

Romantic Countries ;-)

H.O.L.L.A.N.D. - Hope Our Love Lasts And Never Dies.

I.T.A.L.Y. - I Trust And Love You.

L.I.B.Y.A. - Love Is Beautiful; You Also.

F.R.A.N.C.E. - Friendships Remain And Never Can End.

C.H.I.N.A. - Come Here.. I Need Affection. 

B.U.R.M.A. - Between Us, Remember Me Always. 

N.E.P.A.L. - Never Ever Part As Lovers.

I.N.D.I.A. - I Nearly Died In Adoration. 

K.E.N.Y.A. - Keep Everything Nice, Yet Arousing.

C.A.N.A.D.A. - Cute And Naughty Action that Developed into Attraction

K.O.R.E.A . - Keep Optimistic Regardless of Every Adversity.

E.G.Y.P.T. - Everything's Great, You Pretty Thing!

M.A.N.I.L.A. - May All Nights Inspire Love Always. 

P.E.R.U. - Phorget Everyone... Remember Us.

T.H.A.I.L.A.N.D - Totally Happy. Always In Love And Never Dull.  

Courtesy:- A FWD mail

Friday Fruitism : Papaya

Picture Courtesy : fruitsage.com

What a colorful fruit! I used to hate it, and all in my family used to love it. It has immense power and potential in itself to heal our body. It is sweet, soft, butter-like and even considered exotic, hence rightly named "Fruit of the Angels" by Christopher Columbus. It is also called "papaw" or "pawpaw".

 

The fruit is on an average 7 inches long, but it can grow even up to 20 inches. The tree grows to 5-10 meters. The peak season is during summer and fall, but nowadays, you can find it all year through in the markets. Even its seeds are edible, but they do have a bitter taste. Most part of the tree is said to contain an enzyme "papain" which helps to digest proteins. The fruit contains max amount of the enzyme when it is not ripe.

Papaya contains:-

• Antioxidants like Vitamin C and carotenes
• B vitamins like folate
• Minerals like potassium and magnesium
• Lots of Vitamin A
• Fiber

In addition, it doesn't contain any fat or cholesterol and is low in sodium.

 

Health Benefits:-

• Aids digestion and digestive disorder treatment, preventing constipation and ulcers (even seeds help in expelling worms when taken with honey)
• Improves the Immune system hence gets rid of cold or flu easily
• Protect kidneys in cases of toxicity-induced kidney failure
• May even prevent growth of cancerous cells in colon, liver, etc. (studies have indicated)
• Prevents heart problems caused from diabetes or cholesterol, even lowers cholesterol levels
• Prevents nausea and morning sickness
• Reduces pain in diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis

Cosmetic Benefits:-

• Prevents premature aging by restricting wrinkles.
• Brightens and lightens skin color.
• Reduces pimples, acne and pores in skin.
• Heals cuts, stings, rashes or burns.
• Supplements for food during dieting. 
• Controls and limits dandruff in hair.
• Reduces menstrual irregularities in women (raw papaya).

Even the stem and bark are also used for purposes like rope production.

 

When choosing a papaya, look for one that is fairly large, half yellow or more, and slightly soft. It should yield to gentle palm pressure. Avoid papayas that are too soft, or those that have scars or blemishes.

 

Quick Serving Tips:- 

• Dice papaya and sprinkle little lime juice.
• Add diced papaya into a fruit salad.
• Make a smoothie with papaya, strawberries and yohurt.
• Make a dip by mixing papaya, coriander leaves, green peppers and ginger.

If you love to eat papaya, then the benefits have no boundaries. No part of the plant/fruit goes unused. So, have a bite friends!

Tuesday Trauma : Conjunctivitis

Image Courtesy : Wiki

Pink Eyes/Madras Eyes

There is a thin transparent membrane covering the front of the eye called the Conjunctiva. The inflammation of this membrane produces Conjunctivitis. It constitutes the outermost layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. Mainly, in this infection, the white part of the eyes turn red, this is because when the eye becomes irritated or infected, the tiny blood vessels dilate and turn red. It can be due to bacterial, viral or even allergic reactions. It spreads from person to person when in direct contact and is also known as "Sore Eyes".

This is seen in quite many places nowadays; hence thought of writing about it.

Major symptoms can be:-

• discharge of yellow color fluid or pus from the eyes (may cause eyelashes to be stuck together)
• pain in the eye
• eyes turn reddish in color
• sensitivity to light
• itchy feeling
• watery eyes
• burning sensation
• dryness
• swelling of eyes
  

Probable causes can be:-

• viral infection due to cold or sore throat
• unclean hand-to-eye contact especially in overcrowded and unhygienic surroundings
• over usage of non-prescription eye drops
• direct contact with an infected person
• smoke, dust or pollen
• overstraining of eyes
• allergies
• contact lens trapping unwanted particles inside itself

Remedies (from home itself):-

• To give a little relief to the eyes, place these over it intermittently-
• slices of peeled potatoes
• cloth soaked in aloevera juice or curd
• moist green/black tea-bag
• cold bread
• Castor oil can be used as an eye drop
• Boil fennel seeds or dried coriander in water and use as an eye-wash
• Honey can either be used as an eye-drop or it can be boiled in water and used as an eye-wash
• Having Gooseberry juice with honey or Carrot+Spinach juice can be highly beneficial
• Washing the eyes with cool water
• Have lots of fresh fruits like papaya (boosts immunity), mango, orange, etc.
• Make the diet rich in Vitamin A and B2; include stuffs like milk, curd, butter, almonds and green veggies

Little Tips:-

• Avoid sharing pillows, clothes, towels.
• Keep bedsheets and clothes clean by washing often.
• Don't pester your eyes by putting your fingers into them always; and then touching all other places.
• Keep yourself clean and aloof from other diseases.
• Use sunglasses if going out in sunlight.

Keep yourself aloof from this quite infectious irritating disease....friends! Take Care.

Friday Fruitism : Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a very colorful fruit and no one can detest its sweet juice. Who won’t love it? The ruby-colored seeds inside a pomegranate are a breathtaking sight. But, you do have to pick the really good one in order to like the fruit. Even though the fruit is so sweet whatever brand of juice that I used to buy was always bitter; maybe they didn’t get really ripe pomegranates. 

However, as always, eating the fruit is the better choice as it outshines the benefit of drinking its juice.

It is also known as Granada in Spanish and Grenade in French. It grows into a shrub or a small tree mostly in hot climate areas. The astonishing fact is that this tree can remain for many years. You really need not put much effort into the maintenance and care of the tree. The fruits are ripe when they have developed a distinctive color and make a metallic sound when tapped. The fruits must be picked before over maturity when they tend to crack open, particularly when rained on. The pomegranate is equal to the apple in having a long storage life. If kept under proper temperature, they remain for several months. The fruits improve in storage, becoming juicier and more flavorful.

In one pomegranate -

• there is around 100 calories and only about 25g of sugar
• provides lot of antioxidants and fiber (it contains three times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine)
• gives potassium, vitamins A, E, C and folic acid

Its advantages and benefits are innumerable:-

• Prevents heart disease and cholesterol
• Tones up your immune system
• Arteries are freed of build ups, hence reducing heart attack and strokes
• Works as a blood thinner improving blood flow to the heart
• Improves blood pressure levels
• Reduce diarrhea and some fevers
• Root bark treats intestinal parasites like tapeworm
• Prevents dental plaque
• Fights Osteoarthritis by rebuilding damaged cartilage

It also finds a place in making dye (flowers), tanning leather (rind) and preparing oil for beautiful skin (seeds). It has also been found fruitful in cancer treatments and prevention.

People dislike its seeds or the way we have to take away the seeds in order to eat it. Since it easily gets all our hands and we get irritated, we refrain from eating it. An easy way to let off the seeds is to cut the pomegranate into two or four, holding it skin upside seed downside with one hand and striking it with the holder of a knife (holding the knife reverse) or a wooden spatula. With regard to the white tissue in between the seeds, put them in water and the pith will separate out on its own, then the water can be drained off. Try it once!

Image Courtesy : life123.com

Back after a long break!!!

Heyya Friends...

Missed this creative writing a lot! Ah.. so 'm back.

Want to make it "back with a bang", hence, devising two different sections in my blog:-

1) Tuesday Traumas
2) Friday Fruitism

Tuesday Traumas would be dealing with diseases we fall to or come across in our day-to-day life and the possible natural, medical and home remedies for them.

Friday Fruitism would be to share some knowledge about a fruit that would make people engrossed in eating and eating and eating lots n lots of fruits.

Okay, so let me officially flag my race off...

Thrissur Pooram - Last Part

The most striking feature of the Thrissur Pooram is its very secular nature. It is not only the Hindus who participate in this festival. Literally Thrissur Town gets converted into an ocean of humanity of all colour, caste and creed. The Muslim and Christian Communities actively take part in it and they play a very prominent role in the very conduct of the festival. Most of the Panthals are the craftwork of the experts from the Muslim community. For the two days of the festival, the CMS High School, owned by the North Kerala Diocese of CST Church and located on the western part of the Swaraj Round, becomes virtually the Headquarters of the Thiruvambadi Devasom. The temple elephants are tied in the school compound and the 'Aana Chamaya pradarsanam' is also held here. The parasols for the 'Kudamattom' are offered by the churches and their members.

But, we need to pay heed to the reality as well. Unlike today, Thrissur Pooram used to be celebrated with the full involvement of devotees with their physical involvement and voluntary services in the ancient times. The financial obligations were very little due to the availability of large number of artists and artisans locally. Now activities connected with pooram festivals has to be maintained with the help of paid artists and artisans, resulting in large expenditure which is beyond the capacity of the conveners .The expenditure for arranging accompaniments and other accessories, hiring beautiful elephants, artists for melam and panchavadyam etc., necessitates lakhs and lakhs of rupees. As in older times, the meager donation from the Thattakams is not sufficient to meet the huge expenses. Large scale contributions were given to communities to conduct pooram with great pomp and show during the time of Maharajas. This help was also stopped and government is not helping Thrissur Pooram Celebration Committee. In this circumstance luckily some new avenues have opened up to facilitate funds for the conduct of pooram with its old pomp and show beautifully and seriously. The pooram is not only celebrated and conducted by the people from the surrounding locality but cuts cross all the manmade barriers of religion and caste.

All this, in turn has tremendously increased the responsibilities of the local administration and the organizers are trying to improve the show by adding improved themes. This will also help to minimize the monotony of locals who throng to the venue every year. However, the two main poorams of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady has already accomplished this by improving the Kudamattom and fireworks. But the other poorams are still lagging behind in this process due to financial crunch and other problems. Due to the initiative taken by the Tourism Department of Kerala Government and the Cochin Devasom Board, these poorams are also trying to improve and catch up with innovative ideas in their processions. Since Thrissur pooram is commonly known as drum-oriented festival, the improvements should be limited to cater the taste of visiting people consisting of large number of foreigners and non-Malayalees. The present forms of Melam and panchavadyam are the live wires of the show and this should be improved with the presence of well known artists. The restrictions and the time limit in the Thekkinkadu Maidan also hamper them considerably. The thin attendance in the origin of all the small poorams should be the focal point for improvisation. Additionally, it also harps on the risk involved in conducting such a festival on a grand scale which involves the movement of the tusker through a sea of humanity. Even one elephant running amok could take a huge toll of lives. It emphasizes the measure taken by the authorities to make the festival and the scintillating fire work displays as safe for the public as possible.

A glimpse of the cultural excellence!!!

Whatever be the case, life in Kerala is punctuated by the annual festivals dedicated to the village deities. These post-harvest festivals are an occasion to break out of the monotony of daily routine. During the festival season, Thrissur, popularly known as the temple town turns into a town of colour, music and mirth. The size and importance of this festival may vary from small gathering to a mega spectacle. But the beauty of Thrissur pooram is truly one of its kinds. At a time when the secular fabric of the Indian Society is slowly disintegrating, one cannot be myopic to the relevance of Thrissur Pooram, the conduct of which should become worthy of emulation to other festivals in the country. In addition, all the kaleidoscope of colors and magnificent sounds make this a sight to behold. It is an expression of popular fascination for sound and colour, and because of the pageantry, it appeals to all people. In every respect Thrissur pooram stands better than the best, a cultural show par excellence and indeed a meeting point of all the arts.


All images and video - courtesy - google search

Thrissur Pooram - Part 9

The next day morning, both these competitors start with their respective “Pandimelam” and end up at the Sreemoolasthanam around 12 noon. This is rightly categorized as “PakalPooram”, locally known as “Pooram for Thrissur residents”. Both the goddesses say “Good bye” to each other, promising to meet again next year with more vigor, but ensuring congeniality. They, then return to their respective temples. The same day evening after “Arattu” (holy dip of the deity in the temple pond) and “Kodikuthu” (kodikal pooram), the elephant which was honored to carry the “Thidambu” pulls down the flag with the post, put up during “Kodiyettam”. After “Sree BoothaBali”, the goddesses enter their sanctum and take rest with “Uthram Pattu”, after a long tiring and tough competition.


Hence ends the great Thrissur Pooram - The grant show of temples in the vicinity of the vast Vadakkunnathan temple, the celebration with the processions from various temples consisting of decorated caparisoned elephants with the center one holding the deities embedded in golden Kolams, the trained men sitting on the elephants holding the colorful specially prepared large umbrellas, “Alavattam” made out of peacock feathers and “Venchamarams” heaving to the Vadhyamelams, the number of devotees and visitors contented to the very depth of their hearts, all constitute this wonderful attraction of the earth. Through the electronic media, its fame has reached all over India and beyond its boundaries, attracting people to flock to Thrissur town to have a glimpse of the pageantry.

Thrissur Pooram - Part 8

Once again, the participant poorams will start to perform in the same hierarchy, but will end up at “Nilapaduthara” .Two of the major ones namely, “Paramekkavu” and “Thiruvambady” will temporarily suspend their ensemble at their respective “Panthals” at 3.00 am, and the breathtaking final firework display depicting the rivalry between the 2 groups, starts.


Indeed, these fireworks are a secret pride of Thrissur Pooram because they are really distinct in character, performance, excellence and magnitude. Both Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples vying to show each other’s cultural and artistic brilliance in turn result in providing the crowd with the best and the most unexpected. It ends up as a hale and hearty show of the two sections’ might. People come from faraway places to watch this amazing display of Pyrotechnics.

The fireworks enthrall people in four different occasions during Pooram season namely, the ‘sample fireworks’ couple of days before the Pooram, the colorful sparklers (“Amittu”) lighting up the sky in a true competitive spirit on the Pooram evening after the Southward Descent, the most impressive event marking the peak of Pooram celebrations in the early morning hours, and the final fireworks the following noon after the Goddesses bid farewell to each other that mark the end of Pooram.

Behind this colourful show, is the concerted and dedicated effort of thousands of artisans over a couple of months and their satisfaction after all the show has ended. The technique involves a simple mixture of sound, light and strength, the proportion varying according to the type, say Amittu produces less sound and more color whereas Dynamite produces high pitch sound only. Each chemical helps produce a particular color to the fireworks, with the addition of Aluminum powder and magnesium, that helps bring some gimmicks. However, potassium chlorate, which was used to increase the loudness has now been replaced by potassium nitrate considering safety as the top priority.

Thrissur Pooram - Part 7

During this time period (around 12 noon), Paramekkavu Bhagavathi starts with “PandiMelam”, popularly known as “Purapaadu”; it ends up entering the Vadakunnathan through the “Manikandanaal” side (southern side). This leads to the famous “Elinjithara Melam” which concludes by 4.30 p.m.

Afterwards, Paramekkavu bhagavathi leaves through the southern gopuram marking the start of “Thekkottirakam” (meaning descending southwards). Devi travels towards south for performing a “Pradhakshinam” (going roundabout in clockwise direction) of Sakthan Thampuran’s statue, in front of the Muncipal Office. By then, the Thiruvambady melam concludes at Sreemoolasthanam (western gate of Vadakunnathan) and the Devi enters the Vadakunnathan temple and leaves through the southern gopuram, only to find Parmekkavu waiting her entry into the battlefield for the ever-famous cynosure, “Kudamattom”, the spectacular show of exchanging parasols of myriad numbers, designs and colors. Both Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady field face to face arrays of richly caparisoned elephants and the stage is all set for a wonderful competition of the swift and rhythmic exchange of brightly colored and sequined parasols. Both the groups explore and exploit every source at their command, providing a mind-blowing visual treat to all the spectators assembled at the “ThekkegopuraNada” of the Vadakunnathan, culminating with an ever-memorable dazzling display of fireworks, leaving an everlasting stamp on each person’s minds making spectators going into raptures.

Thrissur Pooram - Part 6

And with the all the preparations, there comes “The Day”.

The pooram day starts with the ceremonial entrance of “Kanimangalam Shastha” into the Vadakunnathan through the southern gopuram at 7 a.m. “Shastha” is normally characterized as the guardian of pooram and incarnated as “Bhrahaspathi” (Devaguru). It is marked by the presence of 7 caparisoned elephants and Nadapady. This is the only pooram other than “Paramekkavu” that is allowed to perform Melam inside the Vadakunnathan.

The Pandimelam starts in front of Elinjithara and Shastha exits, finishing the Melam, through the western gopuram. This is followed by the arrival of Panamukkampilly Shastha and Chembookavu Karthiayani Devi, entering through the eastern gopuram, finally leaving through the southern gopuram. Meanwhile, the poorams of Laloor, Ayyanthole, Neithalkavu and Choorakottukavu moves to the Thekkinkadu Maidanam from Naduvilal (western side of Swaraj Round) and enter vadakumnathan through the western gopuram leaving through the southern gopuram.

In the meantime, the Thiruvambady Baghavathy will start from the Thiruvambady temple. The procession reaches Thekkemadam by around 10.30 am. After “Irakkypooja”, the famous “Madathilvaravu” starts with “Panchavadhyam”. The panchavadyam continues till the procession reaches “Thiruvambady” panthal at “Naickanal” (Northern side of Swaraj Round), and then, the “Pandimelam” starts with 15 elephants.


The Karamukku Bagavathy moves through the Manikandanaal (southern side of Swaraj Round) and enters through the western gopuram and leaves through the southern gopuram. However, all the poorams conclude at “Nilapaduthara” near the western gopuram.

Thrissur Pooram - Part 5

The long schedule of the Thrissur Pooram starts with the smaller Poorams in the individual temples in both the groups; then they arrive at Vadakunnathan to pay their due respects to Lord Shiva, the silent spectator of their long festive journey. Each pooram is however, accompanied by the percussion ensembles, which is one of the greatest source of enjoyment and enthusiasm for all the spectators.

The no: of artists in the “Panchavadhyam” troupe varies depending on factors like duration, place, type etc. But the proportion remains the same always, to every Madhalam, there would be double + one "Thimila" and for every Thimila, there would be equal number of "Kombu" and "Elathalam". One "Edakka" is essential in all types of “Panchavadyam”. For larger groups, the no: of "Edakka" may be more. The grouping of the artists and hierarchy is strictly followed. The chief of each instrument will stand in the center, the next less superior one in the right side and the third one in the left. "Edakka" will be stationed at right-hand side of the "Madhalam". If there is second "Edakka", it will be positioned at the left hand side. "Sanghu" will be at right hand side of the right Edakka. The “Panchavadhyam” follows the Pyramidal rhythmic structure. It starts with the “Shangu”, followed by the “Thimila” and other instruments except the “Kombu”. It is divided into 10 “Kaalams” each lasting 14-15 minutes and consisting of slow “PathiKaalam”, intermittent “MadhyaKaalam”, “DruthiKaalam” and speedy Kaalam, but however, the chief decides from which Kaalam the vadhyam starts. This differs from “PanchariMelam” in that the latter is performing on Chenda with one stick and hand and is divided into 3 steps in 5 "Kaalams".




The “Pandimelam” performed as “Elanjitharamelam” during the pooram differs by the use of stick in both hands. It is like climbing a staircase; with a no.of steps + landing, again a no. of steps + landing and finally it reaches the top of the tower, literally, a tower of explosion of sound. Its "takeoff" is in an entirely different format called "Koottiperukkal" which is an enchanting experience. It is difficult to confine this melam to any type of "Kaalam" since it is designed in such a way that it accelerates step by step very systematically. During the course of time it will cover up the Kaalams, but not strictly time- bound. But, its beauty lies in its "Kalaasams". Here, the speed and no of beats are directly proportional; the grand finale being a thrilling experience.