Gods Just Listen

Kerala, a little strip of land Between the seas and the hills A pinch of Amazon here A little Congo there A sprinkle of the Alps A drop from Niagra... Thrissur, its ‘cultural capital' Has its claim to fame The Thrissur Pooram Ilanji thara melam A pandi melam ensemble Set to adantha thalam Mark of Thrissur Pooram The largest ensemble Of Percussion music in the world Where Gods are just listeners A hundred Chendas, the Kerala drums They say it is an Asura vadyam But how Gods love its music! Seventy five elathalam Again unique to Kerala Accompany the drums Twenty one kombu Set the rhythm for the music Embellish the drum-beats Twenty one kurumkuzhal Double-reeded and shrill Play the anchor role People dance To the rhythm of drum beats And Gods just listen Oh! Don't they dance too?