Mizhavu is the main accompanying percussion instrument of temple art forms of Kerala like the Koothu and Kutiyattam. This pot-shaped drum is made of copper plate. Its mouth is covered by animal skin.
Mizhavu is considered as sacred and thus used only for holy ritualistic performances held inside temples. Only men of the Nambiar caste have the right to play this holy drum. Being considered as a Brahmin, all holy rituals given to a Brahmin in his lifetime are given to the Mizhavu too, including Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) and cremation of the dead. In a Brahmin’s life the Upanayanam ritual is practiced to introduce male children into their formal education.
Here we can see the Upanayanam ritual given by Hindu priests (poojaris) to two new Mizhavus. They begin the holy process by chanting vedic prayers. At the end of the ritual, after adorning both mizhavus with the sacred threads (poonool or yajnopavitam), the ceremony is finished by playing the drums.
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