Fabulous! There are traditional instruments belonging to the temple, which the players come in to play. They seem just to materialise. They’re then given mariyadai during Maattu pongal. But it’s not just the music, it’s also the priest brothers who seem to move in a distinct harmony with each other, each lamp movement or flower toss done with a certain command, intention, and style. It’s such a pleasure to watch. A lady there tells me that today’s program is shortened because there’s a dance session after, which they just heard about, but otherwise there’s the standard 3 pradakshinas, each accompanied by a different chanting and singing. And dancing!
This music is Kailaya Vadyam, and these instruments are used only for Pradosham, also perhaps for some other important days. At other times it’s only Nadaswaram and Thavil – with Beri/Murasu only for Vijayadashami. Staying true to its name, the music indeed feels like it is played on the peaks of Mount Kailasa. The instruments used in this Vadhiyam are Udal (the most important, large drums), Thavandai (hourglass-shaped drum carved from a solid block of jackfruit wood or cast in bronze), Sangu or Shankhanadam (Conch), Tharai (a kind of horn), Brahmatalam (large cymbals), Udukkai (the characteristically hollow-sounding drums), Idai vadyam or Thimila (another percussion instrument, almost ghatam sounding, elongated hourglass-shaped), Matthalam (thalatthukku thalaivan! Almost shaped like a mrdangam), etc. often expanding to 18 musical instruments.
This appears to be the only temple that uses Kailaya Vadyam for Pradosham regularly.
We found a YouTube video from November 14, 2024, but with different priests.