Nikai MMDE Thrissur Pooram Dubai Draws A Record 30,000 Attendees for UAE National Day Weekend

Nikai MMDE Thrissur Pooram Season 6 drew more than 30,000 people to Dubai’s Etisalat Academy over two days during the UAE’s 54th National Day weekend, setting a record as the largest Thrissur Pooram staged outside India and turning the venue into a major Kerala cultural hub.

The festival attracted Malayalis from all seven Emirates, combining traditional temple arts, melams, processions, and celebrity appearances. Organised by MMDE Thrissur UAE Official and produced by Equity Plus Advertising, the event was presented by 10X Properties, with Vatika Naturals as presenter to audiences and Bhima Jewellers as powering partner.

Day 1 opened with eight carefully choreographed Poorams presented by eight associations, recreating Thrissur’s famed temple processions. A mega Thiruvathira by Pranav Arts & Events followed, alongside a Kalaripayattu demonstration by Universal Martial Arts Academy UAE, drawing sustained audience engagement from the early hours.

Traditional Kerala art forms dominated the afternoon schedule, including Kathakali by Kalamandalam Anurag and Veeranatyam, alongside Nashik Dhol, Bhasma Kavadi, and Shinkari Melam. Together, they built rhythmic intensity across the grounds and highlighted the range of performance traditions represented at this sixth-season edition.

As evening approached, Padma Shri Jayaram led the Aanachamayam inauguration to a strong reception. Visitors viewed elephant caparisons, ornamental umbrellas, and Pooram paraphernalia, while the 40-foot Purappandal was illuminated at 5 p.m., becoming a central visual element and reference point for crowds across the venue.

Day 1’s musical peak came with a Panchari Melam conducted by Paramekkavu Abhishek, noted as the youngest Melam Pramani. An extended Nadaswaram recital by Kottappadi Surendran and team continued into the evening, with their performance carrying prominently across the Etisalat Academy grounds.

Day 2 commenced at 8:30 a.m. with a flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by Nadaswara Keerthanam, Keli, Kombu, and Kuzhal Pattu, reflecting Pooram morning practices. The atmosphere intensified with the Madathil Varavu Panchavadyam led by Pallavur Sreedharan Marar and Vennimala Anu, which drew sustained attention from thousands.

The Irukol Panchari Melam, jointly led by Padma Shri Jayaram and his guru Padma Shri Mattannoor Sankarankutty Marar, formed the most anticipated segment. From the audience area, Parvathy Jayaram and daughter Malavika followed the rhythms, underlining the family’s long-standing association with percussion traditions.

The programme then moved through Ilanjithara Melam, Panchavadyam, Nadaswaram, Kudamattam with umbrellas dedicated to the rulers of all seven Emirates, a Muthukuda procession, Shinkari Melam, Machad Mamangam, Kavadi, a mega Thiruvathira, and robotic elephants that became a focal point for families and children.

Later that night, Jayaram and Parvathy returned to the stage, interacting with the crowd, exchanging greetings, and acknowledging the scale of participation. Their appearance, framed by nostalgia and gratitude, reinforced the emotional connection many attendees expressed with the Thrissur Pooram format recreated in Dubai.

One of the festival’s most discussed moments came when actor Sandy Master, known as the antagonist of “Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra,” made an unannounced entry on stage during Jayaram’s appearance, triggering strong audience reaction and extensive social media circulation around the reunion.

The closing hours shifted to a concert-style setting, with performances by singers Job Kurian and Sayonara, followed by a DJ set from DJ JM5 that continued late into the night. The festival ended with traditional closing rituals, flag lowering, and farewells from attendees already looking ahead to Season 7.

Nikai MMDE Thrissur Pooram Season 6 was created by MMDE Thrissur UAE Official and produced by Equity Plus Advertising, in association with Car Experts, Reema Spices, KSFE Pravasi Chitty, and Exo Dishwash. Dailyhunt, OneArabia, Asianet News, Zee Keralam, HIT 96.7 FM, and Gilli FM served as media partners.