Thrissur: Pooram culminated sans festivities, magnificence and percussion ensembles, for the first time in the past 58 years, owing to COVID-19 lockdown, here on Saturday. But a different percussion ensemble fiesta reminding one of Thrissur Pooram, recreated by this dentist at his house, is still doing rounds across social media platforms.
Dr Jimil George, a dentist by profession, had enough time to experiment with music as his clinic has been shut complying with COVID-19 lockdown norms. This dentist decided to play with music in order to recreate something similar to the rhythmic ensemble of Pooram, using whatever he had at home.
COVID-19 dampened the whole grandeur of the festival this time. This year, Poora Melam (the rhythmic percussion ensemble) was only in the minds of the people of Thrissur. Chenda (a cylindrical percussion instrument), Valamthala (the thicker, right head of the Chenda which gives a bass effect), Kuzhal (a double-reed wind instrument) and Ilathalam (Metallic instrument similar to Cymbals) all play to the peak in the minds of Pooram lovers of Thrissur.
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Jimil presents the Melam in his mind in a very different and exciting manner. His video has gone viral at a time when all Pooram lovers remain downhearted.
Jimil used a jackfruit wood stool at his home to get the tone of Chenda (Chenda is also made of the same wood), a speaker box for the bass effect of Valamthala, and African Kazoo to get the sound similar to Kuzhal, and an Ilathalam - the only instrument actually used for Melam among the lot - borrowed from his friend. Besides, his talent in mimicry has also helped.
Jimil individually played each of these at different times and slowly increasing the tempo of each one, like in the Pooramelam. Then all the sounds and videos were put together and blended perfectly to create the effect which could almost give an intense Melam fervour to the listener. Jimil himself carried out the sound mixing. Video editing was done by Joysen of Fog creations.
Dr Jimil George has also composed music for a few albums. His attempt at recreating the song sung by Nanchiamma for the Malayalam movie Ayyappanum Koshiyum, by individually presenting 8 instruments and then blending it all together, had also gained applause.
