Thaipusam 2025: Urumi melam, the heartbeat of the festival

The Star

Urumi Melam is an inseparable part of Thaipusam. In a recent interview, Prabu Krishnan, one of the few remaining craftsmen in Selangor with over 20 years of experience shared his insights into this traditional instrument.  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00While different drums echo through religious ceremonies in Malaysia, one particular drum

00:16stands out in Thaipusam.

00:21The Urumi Melam doesn't just create music.

00:26These sacred South Indian drums' pulsating rhythms are believed to help Kavadi bearers

00:31enter a spiritual trance as they fulfil their vows during Thaipusam.

00:57Prabhu Krishnan is one of the few remaining craftsmen in Selangor with over 20 years of

01:03experience.

01:04In a recent interview with a star, Prabhu took us behind the scenes to his two workshops

01:10in Klang, where Urumi Melam comes to life.

01:56Prabhu says the Urumi Melam drums are made from a combination of imported and local materials.

02:24He said the drums' wooden shell is crafted from wood, such as jackfruit tree, imported

02:29from parts of Tamil Nadu in India.

02:54Besides making and repairing Urumi Melam, Prabhu

03:23also trains players who go on to perform in the Urumi Melam troupe.

03:53The demand for Thaipusam is huge, because Thaipusam is a world-renowned art form.

04:41The demand for Thaipusam is huge, because Thaipusam is a world-renowned art form.

05:11Thaipusam is a world-renowned art form.

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