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How Did Thrissur Pooram Start And What Makes It So Special

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Image from: couchsurfing.com

It is known as the mother of all temple festivals In Kerala. Thousands will be witnessing the Thrissur Pooram this year, the main days being April 24 and 25. From night-long fireworks, colourful umbrellas and the decorated elephants, it’s one event that all the Malayalis look forward to

Text Credit: Shibul Pavithran 

Thrissur Pooram was the brainchild of Raja Rama Varma, famously known as Sakthan Thampuran. Before the start of Thrissur Pooram, the largest temple festival in Kerala was the one-day festival held at Aarattupuzha known as Arattupuzha Pooram. Temples in and around the city of Thrissur were regular participants. One day because of heavy rains, they were late for the Arattupuzha Pooram and were denied access to the Pooram procession. As an act of reprisal Thrissur Naduvazhi, the chief of Vadakunnathan, known as Yogadiripad and Kuttanellur Naduvazhi started the Pooram in Thrissur. Later due to some reasons, the Kuttanellur Naduvazhi disassociated the celebration at Thrissur. Since his withdrawal, the glamour of the Pooram was lost and the two ‘Naduvazhies’ began to treat each other as enemies. It was at this juncture the former ruler of Cochin, His Highness Raja Rama Varma, became the Maharaja of Kochi (1790–1805). He unified the 10 temples situated around Vadakkunnathan temple and took steps to celebrate Thrissur Pooram as a mass festival. The Maharaja reorganized the annual festival in its present form in front of Vadakkunathan. He also directed the main temples at Thrissur, Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady to extend all support and help to other Poorams which are coming from 2 to 10 Km away from Vadakkunnathan temple.

Source: Kerala.me

Held on the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May), festival-related events take place at the Vadakkunnathan temple situated in the heart of Thrissur town and the adjoining Thekkinkadu ground. The Raja and the priests of the two other important local temples, the Paramekkavu Bagavathi Temple and the Thiruvambadi Sri Krishna Temple, pay obeisance to Shiva, the presiding deity of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The priests of the two temples and their processions stand opposite each other and celebrate Lord Shiva whose idol is placed in the center.

These two temples compete with and try to outwit each other in the procession. They bring fifteen elephants, each decorated to dazzle. This is one such breathtaking site which shouldn’t be missed.

The spectators too catch the dynamics of the event and join in the frenzy. Both sides alternately exchange colorful umbrellas and fans in perfect rhythm and every time this happens there are cheers from the crowd. All this, while the nadaswarams and drums beat away, creating a trance which can only be experienced if you present there.

Source: Myopic lenses

Hundreds of temple orchestra and music instruments, the type of which is seen only in Kerala, are played by expert artists in the field. The traditional percussion ensembles such as Pancharimelam, Pandimelam, and Panchavadyam provide an appropriate accompaniment to the visual treat. Panchavadyam consists of five instruments: kombu, edakka, thimila, ilathalam and maddalam (pancha – five, vadyam – orchestra),  and other instruments like Chenda, madalam, Kurumkuzhal are also included.

Source: youtube

In Malayalam, there have been countless movies depicting the celebrations of Thrissur Pooram. One of the recent favourite being, a scene from Charlie where the entire suspense of the movie finally breaks amidst the magnanimous spirit of Thrissur Pooram.

And a brilliant track from recent times that became an anthem amongst Malayalis; Kaanthaa by Masala Coffee. This song makes a connection with Thrissur Pooram that’s hard to describe in words, rather just hear it.

 

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Events

Celebrity Muses at Lakme Fashion Week 2024

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Celebrities from Bollywood create a lot of buzz every year when they appear in fashion shows as the faces of up-and-coming or established designers in the nation. Lakme Fashion Week is one such event where a large number of Bollywood designers participate. As anticipated, the LFW roster this year had a number of well-known names and was stylish as well. Numerous well-known figures, including Madhuri Dixit and Ananya Panday, sashayed down the ramp. Let’s examine a few of the most well-known figures seen this season on the ramp.

Ananya Pandey

Ananya Panday looked amazing on the catwalk as she paired an off-the-shoulder black petal dress with high-rise leather boots. Wearing a long ponytail and walking confidently, she looked stunning for designer Rahul Mishra.

Aditya Roy Kapur and Janhvi Kapoor

Walking for fashion brand Kalki, Janhvi Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur took the show on the road. Aditya Roy Kapur was spotted wearing a black sherwani with embellishments, while Janhvi Kapoor sported an off-the-shoulder silk shirt and a maroon mermaid skirt.

Madhuri Dixit

Madhuri Dixit wore a gorgeous black floral co-ord set with a stylish blazer that gave off business woman vibes for Ranna Gill. She accessorized with modest locks and maroon lips for a neutral makeup look. 

Shanaya Kapoor

On the other hand, Shanaya Kapoor was spotted walking the ramp for Anamika Khanna while sporting an oversized white shirt with embroidered details and high-rise boots.

Tripti Dimri

Tripti Dimri graced the ramp for Shantnu and Nikhil donning an exquisite floor-length silver skirt paired with a sleeveless black top, a chic belt, and a magnificent set of hand gloves. 

Tapsee Pannu

As she walked for Gauri & Nainika, Tapsee Pannu was also seen on the ramp wearing a gorgeous bodycon gown with a mermaid cut end.

Malaika Arora

Malaika Arora spun around in a gorgeous pastel lehenga adorned with golden flower embroidery while she walked the Lakme Fashion Week runway for Anushka Reddy.

Rakul Preet

Rakul Preet, the newest bride in town, was also spotted on the ramp, walking for Ritika Mirchandani while sporting a white crop top and a skirt with a high thigh slit.

Aditi Rao Hydari

In Nirmooha’s ‘Ekatra’ collection, Aditi Rao Hydari embodies royalty as she explores individualism with dark purple coordinated outfits embellished with geometric designs and a dash of shine. 

Divya Khosla

In Rajdeep Ranawat’s opulent ‘Nizam’ collection, which is made of silk and features vintage accents, Divya Khosla looks stunning. The collection is inspired by the grandeur of Lucknow and the royal jewels of Hyderabad.  

Sara Ali Khan

Varun Chakkilam’s ‘Lenora’ collection, which combines modern style with Hyderabadi cultural aspects in pearl grey embroidered lehengas, features Sara Ali Khan flashing burn marks.

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Events

Lakme Fashion Week Day 2 Highlights

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From March 13 to 17, Lakme Fashion Week was held at the famous Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, which is situated in the center of the Bandra Kurla Complex. Lakme Fashion Week 2024 covered every genre, with an insightful and diverse list of designers showcasing their work. Collections included haute couture, street style, country wear, gothic vampire inspired, 1800s cowboy tribes, Indian bridal, Venetian tea party, and Victorian gowns. It’s time to break down some of the major SS’24 fashion trends as fashion week just ended. Sustainable Fashion Day, held on Day 2 of Lakme Fashion Week in collaboration with FDCI, featured some incredibly stunning runway looks. 

Til, Yavi, and Inca’s Collection

With their current collection, Inca, Til, and Yavi showcased sustainable design with clothing that promised both unparalleled comfort and glamour. In her role as Inca India’s show stopper, actor Dia Mirza dominated the show. Wearing an opulent all-black suit from their “Love is a Verb” collection, Mirza strutted down the runway. The collection complemented the concept of the event and was influenced by traditional artisan skills and repurposed materials.

Gaurang Shah’s Designs in Pink Hues

Gaurang’s “Gulaal” Lakme Fashion Week Spring/Festive collection. Lehengas and sarees with long-forgotten embroidery, such as Mochi, Parsi Gada, Petite Point, Kasuti, Phulkari, Kutch, and Kashmiri, were featured in the collection in the adaptable color pink.

Tea Cultures of the World x Chola 

With a focus on inclusivity and authenticity, Chola by Sohaya Misra and Tea Culture of the World honoured the merging of fashion and tea culture, embodying confidence, individualism, and empowerment. The collection’s runway was lit up by actresses Neha Dhupia and Konkona Sensharma’s stunning walks in black and white costumes.

U’Core by Urvashi Kaur

In Urvashi Kaur’s U’Core, contrasting selvedges were prominently featured. Her mother, Anupama Singh, along with notable models like Ratna Pathak Shah, Tillotama Shome, Rasika Dugal, Mallika Dua, Faraz Ansani, Shweta Tripathi, and Santanu Hazarika, showcased the collection’s artistry through stitch line details and hand block printing.

R|Elan X JJV Kapurthala

On Day 2 of Sustainable Fashion Day at Lakme Fashion Week, style and sustainability were guaranteed by the R|Elan X JJV Kapurthala collection. JJV incorporates ethical practices into its design philosophy in a seamless manner, improving garment performance and decreasing textile waste.

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Events

Sparkling Day 1 : Lakme Fashion Week

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With the much awaited Lakme Fashion Week held in the nation’s capital in association with the FDCI, fashion week is officially underway. Every year, people in the apparel business and fashion aficionados alike look forward to this event.

For almost 25 years, Lakme Fashion Week has been creating legendary displays, and there are no plans to stop. The first day of the five-day event featured a star-studded lineup at the runways, including Jim Sarbh, Hina Khan, and Alaya F in addition to Kalki Koechlin.

The Ramp Walk of Karishma Tanna

Karishma Tanna stunned on the catwalk with her stunning INIFD Launchpad ensemble. The “Scoop” actress turned heads with her gorgeous all-black Yashi Gada costume.

“A Periwinkle Wednesday” Collection by SWGT

The most intriguing collection from SWGT is undoubtedly “A Periwinkle Wednesday,” which takes its cues from the designer’s first iteration of love. The compilation honors love in all its tender, humorous, poetic, entrancing, and even frivolous forms.

Launch of a Magazine

The 2024–25 Fashion X Beauty Lakmē Fashion Week Trend Edition, designed by Peclers Paris, was also unveiled on the first day. The trend journal offered a preview of what to expect from the next fashion season via the eyes of multi-cultural trend forecasters.

The “Sun and Moon” Collection by Archana Rao

The “Sun and Moon” collection by Archana Rao was incredibly fascinating since it celebrates the natural harmony between the sun and moon while simultaneously emphasizing their striking contrasts.

The Most Recent Collection of Rajesh Pratap

The collection by La Martina X Rajesh Pratap Singh pays homage to the close relationship between Polo and Jaipur. The designs successfully highlighted the city’s rich cultural heritage and close connections to the game.

Samant Chauhan’s Collection of Ice Watches

Designer Samant Chauhan’s “Ice Watch” showcased superb craftsmanship and creative use of embroidery and shapes. Whites and blues, layers and ruffles, and a tonne of volume made up the mood board. Jim Sarbh, an actor, walked for Chauhan wearing all-white clothing.

A cocktail collection by Geisha Designs

Paras and Shalini, the designer team at Geisha Designs, served up cocktail and evening wear for men and women for the first time that day. Alaya F, a teenage actress who was observed wearing a lavishly embroidered pant and bustier combo, was chosen as their show stopper. 

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