Jayaram is leading the Pavizhamallithara melam at the Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple again this Navaratri, on October 19. It is his 13th time as melapramani, the chief drummer who sets the pace for the ensemble, and more than 150 percussion artists are playing alongside him.
Before the melam, Jayaram said he has known the temple courtyard since childhood. He called it a blessing to lead the melam there, with so many accomplished artists beside him.
The actor who took up the chenda
For Jayaram, percussion is far more than a hobby. He began formal chenda training only after he had become an actor, learning under masters including Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar.
He had performed panchari melam at many venues before he made his Pandi melam debut in 2017. That debut took place at the Panachikkad temple in Kottayam, under Mattannur's guidance, with 101 artists accompanying him.
On screen and off
The two worlds have met on screen too. In Shaji N Karun's Swapaanam, Jayaram played a chenda artist.
These days he is busier in films outside Malayalam. His most recent Malayalam release is Aashakal Aayiram, in which he acted alongside his son Kalidas Jayaram.
Navaratri also brings out other artists every year, such as Neeraj Madhav's mother, who danced Bharatanatyam at Kozhikode's Thali temple this season.
Also read: Kalyan Navaratri 2026: Jayaram, Dileep and Malayalam stars in Thrissur
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