Mēlam

This new work by Vinthya Perinpanathan has been commissioned by the University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra. It is inspired by Mēlam, which is the Tamil name for a traditional percussion ensemble from Sri Lanka and South India. The piece pays homage to this drumming tradition – which is often practiced outdoors and in dialogue with the surrounding natural soundscape – by first using the orchestra to represent water, air, and the abundant biodiversity of the region. The composer references numerous characteristics of Sri Lankan music traditions, such as heavily ornamented melodies, unison and forte playing, and by, of course, centring percussion and movement. Typical voices, such as horn calls, or conch calls, are employed literally or transcribed for typical concert horns. Instruments specific to her heritage region, such as the nadaswaram, the sornali/horanava, and the sangu/hakgediya, inspire features of this work, but the piece also incorporates some of the composer’s other influences—namely, electronic, jazz, and experimental musics.

The harmonic language of the work is inspired by a three-thousand-year-old harp-like instrument called the Yazh. The Yazh is referenced in historical Tamil literature, but it became extinct over time. Fortunately, it has, however, been reconstructed in Chennai recently at Uru. The approximate pitches of the Sengotti Yazh form the foundation for the work’s chordal and melodic ideas. Those ideas are also inspired by imagery of the northern city of Yaalpaanam, which is known as ‘the land of the harper’ and is the birthplace of the composer’s father.

This piece will be premiered by the University of Manchester Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 24th October 2026 at the Martin Harris Centre, Manchester.