Drumming to Ecstasy

CHENDA MALAM
In this ritual the temple deity has been placed on the back of the lead elephant and will be carried around the temple.
The group is made up of chenda (drums), manjeera (cymbals), short horns, and long curved horns. At least one elephant is always present in full regalia. The underlining rhythm is complex.
The entire event can take 2 -- 3 hours. with one cycle being from 30 minutes to an hour. It begins very slowly and gradually builds to a fever pitch. Then stops.
The entire group, including elephants, mahouts, and listeners, slowly proceeds, and begins to circle the compound clockwise They stop midpoint on each side and do a complete cycle .

Category:

Music

Tags:

• drum
• ecstasy
• cymbals
• chenda
• siva
• temple
• ernakulam
• cochin
• kerala
• india
• horns
• elephants
• deity
• music
• climax

[msmarlaleigh]

so what cycle is this in? 27 beats?

[def44]

rhythm of life [even]

[def44]

rythmn of life

[jogayot]

stone age techno ;?) mo eleefants! wonder what they are thinking (besides about food ;) they should try it with whales.

[fingercheese]

wonderful...brilliant...beauti­ful...terrify...ing

[kenrg]

Excellent! Beautifully edited.

[friscow]

dang that is a lot of drums..

-Frisco the navajo