I have been collecting interesting information about the South Indian Temples, architecture, culture, literature for a number of years. My blog is an attempt to share this information with others in the hope that this information will be read by a larger audience who can know more about their Indian culture and heritage.
Here are some pictures taken during my current visit to USA. These were taken during our trip to Snowqualmine Water Falls and Rattle Snake State Park in Washington USA.
Panchamugavadiyam translates into - instrument with 5 (pancha) faces (mugam). It is big instrument nearly 3 feet height and 5 feet diameter with five faces indicative of the five faces of Lord Siva. Each of these faces of the instrument are tied with leather from deer. Panchamugavadiyam has five faces resembling Lords Shiva's five faces:
Nagapantham represents Sadyojāta face of Lord Shiva.
Swasthikam represents Vāmadeva faces of Lord Shiva.
It is unique music instrument currently used only in Tiruvarur Sri Thyagaraja temple . Today this instrument is ONLY played at evening Aarthi (sayarashi deeparthanai) at the temple. The pictures shown above are only a model of the original.
During ancient times (sanga kalam), it was named as "kudamuza'. There were nearly seven type of kudamuza or musical instruments named in Tamil literature as purmuza, aghamuza, pannamai muzavu, naan muzavu so on. In 4th &5th century, Karikal Ammiyar (a renowned poet and devotee of Lord Shiva) noted it in her poetry (pathikam) as very important instrument for dance. In temples, the idol of Karikal Ammiyar is almost always present at the feet of Lord Shiva (Lord Nataraja). It was a prime instrument for dance during ancient times. Other instruments like "Kallal", "Oodukai" and several other instruments were used to support Panchamugavadiyam.
You can also see this instrument depicted in statues and paintings other old temples like Ellora, Elephanta caves, Abaneri temple in Gujarat. Statues can also be found in temples built during the Chalukya period, namely in Pattathakal in Andhra Pradesh, Thanthondreeswara temple in Kanchi, TamilNadu, Kailasanathar temple in Kanchi, TamilNadu. Panchamugavadiyam is also mentioned in painting in Kailasanathar temple in Kanchi, Chithanavasal, Thiruvalansuzi, Pateeswaram, Chidambaram, Vaideeswaran emplekovil, Thiruvalankadu, thiruvelvekudi. In Kerala, it was named as "Mezavu". In Padmanabapura palace it is painted as Mahavishnu is playing this instrument.
In Tiruvarur temple, the instrument can also be seen in the "Devasiriyar mandapam” (thousand pillar mandapam) in roof Maratha period herbal painting. Here this instrument is with wheels and other musical instruments (nearly 16) are also painted. Here the name of the painter also named as "Chithrakaran Singathanam". In Tiruvarur it is playing by artist "Muthukarar Sankaramoorthy's" as shown in the picture. They are family of Parasaiva. They are following a "thalam" and the rules and regulations of playing the Panchamugavadiyam, which are written on a palm leaf and preserved by his family. It has 19 slokas or verses. It must be played only by parasaiva who had Siva deekshai. These priests are also poojari of "Pedariamman'. They are playing this with 7 thalas and 35 type Jathis. They should dressed with red dress and red flower and Sandalwood paste (santhanam).
The story in Shiva Purana goes that when LORD SIVA destroyed thireepuram of the three demons named Tharaghakshan, Vidyulmali and Vaaranasuran, they prayed for his mercy. Lord Siva appointed two of them as his gate keepers (Dwarapalaka) and Vaaranasuran, the third one as to play Panchamugavadiyam. This is described in Koorma Puranam by Adiveerarama Pandian. However, in Tiruvarur temple, it is painted as Lord Vishnu is playing it. In some temples, it is shown as Lord Nandhi or Adi Sheashan or Boothaganams playing Panchamugavadiyam.
In this temple it is placed on a wheeled platform so that it can be dragged to where ever Sri Thyagaraja goes. Tiruthuraipoondi temple also has Panchamugavadiyam; however, there is nobody to play it.
References: 1. "Kudamuza" by Mr. Kudavasal Balasubramaniam.
I am a homemaker interested in South Indian temple architecture, designs, folklore, history and culture. My interests also include learning about achievements in Math and Science made in Ancient India (now forgotten and credited to other cultures). This blog is my attempt to share this information with a wider audience on the internet.
