This video captures the eletriying atmosphere in Kerala temple festivals. Nothing beats a good Panchari or Pandi Melam. Look out for the "Aunty" vigourously giving talams!

I was there; 15 days after watching Iron Maiden kick off their "Somewhere back in time" world tour in Mumbai; in Ettumanoor, near Kottyam in Kerala, watching another legend perform what in my opinion is the mother of all "Heavy metal" music. The Legend I am referring to comes from a small place in the Kannur district called Mattanur, Yes I am referring to the great Mattanur Sankaran Kutty Marar, and I saw him play live after 20 years, in a true Kerala Ulsavam atmosphere.



The above ensemble is known as Panchari Melam, which is a subset of Asura Vadyam. :)