Debate rages as DJ parties, light shows replace traditional festival ambience

TRADITIONALLY rooted in rituals, classical performances and percussion ensembles like chenda melam, temple festivals have recently embraced modern entertainment elements.

- POOJA NAIR @Kozhikode

The trend is equally evident in annual church festivals, with recent examples including the extravagant celebrations at the Immaculate Conception Church in Mananthavady and Infant Jesus Church at Kallet-tumkara in Thrissur. DJ parties featuring electronic music and dazzling light shows have now become part and parcel of festivities, especially during the Utsavam season.

Just a week ago, the Uravinkal Devi temple festival in Naduvathur, Koyilandy, hosted one of the largest DJ events and light shows in the district, setting the stage for a growing trend. Several other temples, including Naduvathur temple, Arikulam temple, Muchukunnu Kottayil Shiva temple and Cherimangadu Kottayi temple, have followed suit, with many more set to incorporate similar spectacles in the upcoming festival season.

The evolution of these festivals highlights a fusion of tradition and modernity.

"This is a trend that has been picking up momentum for the last five to six years," said DJ Prakash, a local artist who has been performing at temple festivals across Malabar.