Drumming their way to spirituality

The group performing at a temple function in Ipoh in the midst of a crowd. They will also be playing this Thaipusam.

THE sound emanating from the urumee, a double-headed hourglass-shaped drum commonly used by village musicians in south India, easily attracts a crowd.

During Thaipusam, urumee melam (drum beat) groups typically accompany kavadi and milk pot bearers to give them strength and courage to fulfil their vows.

In Malaysia, especially Perak, the urumee is used by musical groups specialising in traditional folk songs and it is seen during Hindu religious ceremonies such as Thaipusam.

For M. Guna Seelan, 26, he was so mesmerised by the sound created by the drum that he decided to form an urumee melam group comprising of youngsters who are passionate about traditional and folk music.

In an urumee melam group, there would normally be a singer and musicians who play the urumee, pambai (a pair of cylindrical drums) and tavil (a barrel-shaped drum).

The Om Sri Ayyan Urumee Melam leader said since his primary school days, he was intrigued by the sound created by the urumee and the songs played by an urumee melam group.

A member from the Om Sri Ayyan Urumee Melam group plays the ‘thavil’.

“As I got older, I wanted to learn it. During college, I learnt how to play the instrument with my college friends.

“In 2011, I joined a group and I first learned how to play the pambai,” he said, adding that he learnt how to play the songs and other instruments through social media.

After college, he decided to form a group with his close friends, who encouraged him to follow his dreams and play traditional music for devotees.

“We started Om Sri Ayyan Urumee Melam.

“It was tough at first but eventually, we got the hang of it and I love it.

“We only had five things when we first started and now, we have 15 instruments and more than 20 people in the group,” he said.

All of them are youngsters, he added, either in school or college or working.

Guna, playing the ‘urumee’ during a cultural event in Ipoh. The leader of the group can also play the ‘pambai’.

“Youngsters want to learn and I will teach them. It makes me happy to see them learning it. At least, they are not into gangsterism and drugs,” he said.

Many believe that the urumee possesses supernatural and sacred powers.

When played during religious ceremonies, specific beats and songs could lead a person into a trance state.

“They will go into a trance because of the vibration from the drum.

“Before that, they have to fast before fulfilling their vow and during their prayers, on the way to the temple, they should not have any outside disturbance.

“The group will play the instrument and sing devotional songs to ensure that their mind is fully focused on the vow,” he said.

Guna said he normally charges RM1,200 to RM2,000 for each session, depending on the distance and instruments played for Thaipusam.

“We want the devotees to fully utilise the experience, so we recommend a full set most of the time.

“I am doing this to preserve the culture.

“We make sure that it is affordable because devotees will have to concentrate on their vows and we do not want to burden them financially,” Guna said.