Panchavadhyam is a classical orchestra. Pancha Vadyam is an orchestra, typical of Kerala, consisting of five instruments – Maddalam, Edakka, Thimila, Ilathalam and Kombu. It is an inevitable accompaniment during festivals, religious or otherwise. The most thrilling performance of Panchavadyam can be witnessed at most of the temple festivals in Kerala.During the orchestra, it is the maddalam and the thimila both vying for prominence. Panchavadhyam is a regular feature of all auspicious events and occasions. Panchavadyam, literally meaning an orchestra of five instruments, is basically a temple art form that has evolved in Kerala. Of the five instruments, four — timila, maddalam, ilathalam and idakka — belong to the percussion category, while the fifth, kombu, is a wind instrument. Some of the known institutions that give formal training in panchavadyam are Kerala Kalamandalam. Major venues, Thrissur Pooram, Nadappura Panchavadyam at Wadakancheri Siva Temple participating to famous Uthralikkavu Vela at Wadakancheri, Kaladi Panchavadyam ulsavam, Machattu Thiruvanikkavu vela, Nenmara-Vallangi vela, Vayilliamkunnu Pooram, Pariyanampatta pooram, Chinakathoor pooram, Varavoor Palakkal Karthika vela, Tirumandhamkunnu pooram purappadu, Tripunithura Sree Poornathrayeesa Aarattu, Tripunithura Thamaramkulangara Makaravilakku, Thiruvona Mahotsavam at Sree Vamanamoorthy Temple Thrikkakara and Cherpulassery Ayyappan Kavu ulsavam, besides temples in places like Chottanikkara, Pallavoor and several renowned temples in Malabar like Kottakkal Viswambhara Temple and Kottakkal Pandamangalam Sreekrishna Temple. To the people of Kerala, Panchavadhyam is not just another orchestra but the rhythm of the Gods.
