(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

A Unesco-recognised Indian festival was recreated in Dubai over the National Day weekend, paying tribute to the leaders of the country. Attended by over 30,000 people, the event saw musical performances, celebrity appearances and robotic elephants, among other attractions.

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The two-day MMDE Thrissur Pooram took place at the Etisalat Academy in Dubai on December 1 and 2. It brought together performers from the southern Indian state of Kerala to stage an event much like the original temple festival which takes place in the Thrissur district every year. This is the sixth edition of the pooram being held in Dubai.

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One of the highlights of the event was a tribute to the UAE, where organisers unveiled seven ceremonial umbrellas - each bearing the photo of the leaders of the seven emirates - atop seven robotic elephants. It was a gesture of gratitude towards the country in celebration of its 54th National Day, and drew a standing ovation from the arena.

Thrissur Pooram

The original festival takes place at the ancient Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur and is also one of the largest festivals in Asia, with more than 1 million visitors annually. Unesco has acknowledged Thrissur Pooram, which was first believed to have been held in 1798, for its grandeur, scale, and cultural importance.

An elaborate Ilanjithara Melam - a signature percussion ensemble - is one of the most important parts of the festival. It showcases traditional Kerala music with a large gathering of percussionists playing traditional instruments like the chenda, ilathalam, kuzhal and kombu.

Another iconic feature of the festival is the Kudamattam ritual - the exchange of umbrellas. A total of 30 elephants, 15 each from the two main participating temples, stand face to face in a ceremonial formation wearing golden forehead ornaments as the parasol bearers engage in the rhythmic switching of vividly coloured ornamental silk umbrellas. Each temple tries to the outdo the other in the grandeur of their umbrellas. The festival also features fireworks, a procession, and religious rituals.

Event in Dubai

At the MMDE Thrissur Pooram, Malayalam actor Jayaram, legendary percussionist Mattannur Sankarankutty Marar and famed artist Kizhakkoott Aniyan Marar - who leads the percussion ensemble at the original festival - led the performances.

The event also established a replica temple façade, a towering Poorappandal - an elaborately designed and illuminated temporary canopy - and immersive ceremonial décor complete with traditional elephant paraphernalia, artistic umbrellas, and temple instruments.

Last month, another similar recreation of the Thrissur Pooram was held at Zabeel Park to coincide with the formation of the state of Kerala on November 1.

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