Tiruvalla PooramMonday, 02 May 2011 16:56 - Last Updated Tuesday, 03 May 2011 12:41

The organization of an annual Pooram in Tiruvalla to celebrate the Onam Festival wasinstigated in 1998 by Rev. Dr. Mulamoottil on his return to India having completed his studies inEurope.

He was Chairman of the organizing committee for the first Pooram which was a combinedinitiative between Tiruvalla Municipality and the newly formed Central Travancore DevelopmentSociety (CTDS) of which he was a founding member and the President. The CTDS involvespeople from all walks of life to promote the social and cultural growth of the region and bring it tonational and international attention.

The objective of organizing an annual Pooram on a grand scale was to evoke a sense of unityamong the people. The Muslim, Hindu and Christian communities actively take part in it andthey play a very prominent role in the very conduct of the festival. From the organizingcommittee to participants, people from all walks of life are involved.

The Malayalam word pooram literally means festival. It was believed that every year thedynastic Gods and Goddesses of neighboring provinces met together for a day of celebrations,in which richly decorated elephants are an important feature.

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Tiruvalla PooramMonday, 02 May 2011 16:56 - Last Updated Tuesday, 03 May 2011 12:41

The funds for the Pooram are collected from the public; it attracts a huge following of peoplefrom nearby districts as it is the only Pooram in Central Travancore. The main features of the Tiruvalla Pooram are as follows: - The two days of festivities begin with a Poorachamayam, an exhibition of various Pooramartefacts held at the YMCA hall in the town - 1,001 oil lamps are lit at the SC Seminary Junction in the evening - A mass feast is also held as part of the annual festival - A cultural procession is held from Tiruvalla junction to the stadium where the Poooram isdeclared open. Colour and gaiety mark the Pooram festival. The elephants are decorated with Nettippattom,Aalavattom, Venchamarom ornaments. Each elephant bears an umbrella holder, a peacock-fancarrier and a yak-tail flywhisk wielder. A major event of the Pooram festival is thePanchavadyam in which about 200 artistes from the disciplines of Thimila, Maddalam, Trumpet,Cymbal and Edakka participate. Another major event of the Pooram begins with the setting offof the ‘Pandemelam’ at noon in which about 200 artistes in the disciplines of drum, trumpets,pipe and cymbal participate. Percussion and wind orchestras stand in between the lines ofelephants. With an increase in the volume of each orchestra, a new display of ceremonialumbrellas blossom over the elephants and continues till sunset. The Pooram concludes withbrilliant display of fireworks.

Testimonial from Salim (President of Merchants Association Thiruvalla) Father Abraham Mulamoottil, the hard working and dedicated man who has given his entire lifefor the upliftment of the society. His vision and foresight about the world is something that weshould study from him. He has played an important role in the making of Tiruvalla. Salim Contact No. 09447033133 Photographs taken in the early years of the Pooram Festival some of which include Rev. Dr. Mulamoottil

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Tiruvalla PooramMonday, 02 May 2011 16:56 - Last Updated Tuesday, 03 May 2011 12:41

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Tiruvalla PooramMonday, 02 May 2011 16:56 - Last Updated Tuesday, 03 May 2011 12:41

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